Englerophytum magalismontanum stem-tip new growth

Where new growth sprouts at an Englerophytum magalismontanum stem-tip, the normal colour scheme is dramatically adapted for a while.

Beige, fawn, sandy or camel and many other names have been given to this colour nuance that soon adds some subtle cream and then green before abruptly settling into the plant’s conventional, uniform dark green, i.e. on the upper surfaces only. The lower surface begins faintly darker and hairy, the young midrib and petiole unequivocally brown.

The young leaves start off pendulous, strongly folded in along their midribs. The curving down to the leaf-tip isn’t quite relinquished by mature leaves. By the time a leaf is properly green, it spreads to face the sun fully, assuming its share of photosynthetic duties (Coates Palgrave, 2002).