Muraltia arachnoidea purplish stem-tip

The Muraltia arachnoidea stem-tip in picture, purplish on lower leaf surfaces, bears its leaves in scattered to spiralled positions, not tufted. The red section is new growth, the flowers occurring just below, where the leaves are now almost entirely green or yellow-green. 

The thick leaves curve down in consistent manner near their spiny tips. The short, tapering spines are not much longer than some of the soft, pale hairs scattered mainly along the leaf margins.

Due to the plant’s restricted distribution, it is not well-known in the freely available literature. Its looks make it deserving of horticultural attention. Its near threatened status might add impetus to its spread in gardens (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).