Senecio junceus stem-tip growth

Senecio junceus new stem-tip growth may be very green, particularly on the fleshy young leaves. These obovate leaves with pointed tips do not last long before they drop off, leaving small stem scars.

The new stems may again be cropped by some browsing mammal if the plant has that little luck. The rainy season may offer more fodder options to locals on the lookout for something green to nibble.

The longitudinal lines present upon most stems is heavily accentuated on the dry, dead, branched stem in picture on the left (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).