Othonna macrophylla leaves opposing, not opposite

    Othonna macrophylla leaves opposing, not opposite
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Thabo Maphisa

    The lower leaves of Othonna macrophylla are by far the largest and quite large in strong, lush plants. The almost opposite pair in picture is situated well away from the next pair up the stem.

    The leaf-shape is ovate to oblong or elliptic, the small, upper leaves markedly narrow with straighter margins and pointed tips. The leaf margins are entire to zigzagging in variable flowing curves and turns, sometimes wavy with only a rare or occasional tooth like the elderly witch.

    A couple of dominant lateral veins follow angularly meandering courses close to the midribs in picture. Several smaller veins branch haphazardly, as if the terrain determining the flow of the juices were mountainous (iNaturalist; JSTOR).

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