Metalasia muricata curving stems in a garden

This Metalasia muricata plant growing in well-protected garden conditions in shade allows its branches to relinquish their usual erect positions, reclining in graceful curves as if on holiday. The young stems are nearly white, the thicker, older ones becoming pale brown.

The leaves and leaf tufts are well enough spaced to always show some stem, even near the tips. It looks as if some flowering isn’t too far off. The photo was taken in February.