Wahlenbergia thunbergiana stem nodes

The Wahlenbergia thunbergiana leaves at the base of an upper-stem branch shine dark green and fleshy, contrasting to the duller, cylindrical stems that are soft and hairy. Strongly recurving and broad-based, the leaves appear opposite or nearly so here, not alternate or spiralling as elsewhere upon the stems (Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist).