Schistostephium umbellatum stems

The sparsely branched stems of Schistostephium umbellatum become woody and bare lower down. Scars show where leaves have drop off.

Young stems are densely leaved and erect, unlike older ones that may lose their posture and leaf covering as in picture (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iNaturalist).