Agathosma riversdalensis new stem-tip leaves

Young stem-tip leaves of Agathosma riversdalensis are markedly different from the older, dark-green leaves lower down. The colours are brick-red at the leaf-tips, creamy, whitish to pale yellow lower down on the blades, while pale green begins to appear and take over on leaves lower down in the new growth.

The leaf angles are initially ascending, steepest in the dense cluster at the tip, while relaxing during stem elongation to horizontal spread. The older leaves below sag slightly in mature descent or exhausted resignation; at least theyre maintaining formation.

Leaf-tips in picture initially have one to a few, long, thin hairs that don’t last. Spaced, marginal leaf spots are conspicuous, probably glands that become less visible over time.

The upper stems resemble the leaves in colour, but the sequence is inverted: the yellow and cream hues are uppermost, the red comes a little later, lower down (Manning, 2007; Mustart, et al, 1997; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).