Syncolostemon rotundifolius young stem-tip

A Syncolostemon rotundifolius stem-tip may start off with tiny, buff-coloured leaves that are densely velvety. The rotundifolia specific name indicates round leaves. Some leaves deviate notably from this label, often some of the younger leaves.

The decussate growth pattern of the leaves on the stems results in the leaf-pairs succeeding each other at right angles, forming four vertical leaf arrays (Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).