Chaenostoma hispidum stems

Chaenostoma hispidum is much-branched. Its soft stems remain erect only some of the time; their other option is to sprawl. Branches grow from leaf axils, as has happened to the plant part in picture.

The upper stems are variously coloured depending on age and growing conditions, from pale green to orange-brown or dark purple and always hairy (Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).