Erica melanthera leaves

The needle-like leaves of Erica melanthera are small, growing in whorls of three, ascending up the stems. In picture the leaves are slightly shiny and reddish, appearing thick and cylindrical with rounded tips. The hairs sometimes found on the leaves are gland-tipped. There are narrow slits at the back of the leaves where the rolled under margins meet or not quite.

On E. chamissonis, a related and similar species, the backs of leaves are more open (Manning and Helme, 2024; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist; iSpot).