Aspalathus acuminata subsp. acuminata long limb competition

A young, healthy Aspalathus acuminata subsp. acuminata plant may grow these long, robust branches embarked on solitary space explorations in the nearby sky.

Dark green leaf clusters cover the numerous, small side-branches, the main stems soon lacking foliage, showing their fairly smooth, pale grey bark. Growth in subsequent years (post-adolescence?) should bring more substance to the shrub’s body (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; www.fernkloof.org.za).