Anginon difforme leaf bases

The thinly cylindrical leaves of Anginon difforme alternate or spiral up this upper stem, unevenly spaced; overlapping when close together. The specific name, difforme, is a Latin word meaning unevenly, irregularly or differently formed, probably referring to the leaf-shape. 

The leaves clasp the stem, the basal sheathes of only the youngest ones are whitish with green veins in picture. The dull green to dark green quill-like leaves are smooth and hairless, constituting petioles lacking blades.Some young leaves may be channelled on top.

The plants that are rarely browsed by game or stock may be toxic. The generic name, Anginon, is one of the names for hemlock mentioned by Dioscorides, master herbalist in the time of Nero and for some the Father of Pharmacology, suggesting toxicity of these plants (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist).