Cliffortia ruscifolia var. ruscifolia young plant

This young Cliffortia ruscifolia var. ruscifolia plant has sprouted in gravelly sand among rocks at Kagga Kamma.

The stalkless leaves vary much in size, smaller leaves often in the clusters heralding new branches grown from old leaf axils. A few of the leaves have spiny teeth on otherwise smooth margins, as well as the usual spiny leaf-tip. The leaf is boat-shaped, concave on top, the upper surface a bit greener than the margins and the lower surfaces.

There are small stipules tucked between the leaf and the branch from which it grows. The dull pinkish stems appear finely white-downy, normal on young growth but not seen on the leaves here, although they may be hairy on the back (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bean and Johns, 2005; Le Roux, et al, 2005).