Zaluzianskya microsiphon

Zaluzianskya microsiphon is a perennial herb that grows to 40 cm with erect stems that branch at the base. It has hairy stems; the hairy appearance being enhanced by the stem leaves that have especially long, white hairs on their margins.

The generally hairy leaves are opposite below, alternate higher up. Basal leaves are bigger and spreading, those on the stem ascending and smaller. Leaf shape is elliptic to obovate, tapering to the base and to the pointed, sometimes blunt tip. Leaf margins are sometimes toothed.

This plant was photographed in January in the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, the centre of the elevated grassland distribution of the species (Manning, 2009; iSpot).