Othonna ramulosa main branches

The sturdy Othonna ramulosa stems did most of their branching low down, here almost parallel to slightly diverging above the main stem.

They leave a little shaded space among the not so sturdy, clustered foliage. This allows for air cooling on the often-hot days of the long, rainless summers experienced in their westerly, karoid home region.

The mostly sickle-shaped leaves are curiously pointing in the same direction, possibly seeking more sun, in spite of some purple discolouring its heat is inflicting (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).