Justicia adhatodoides stems

This multi-stemmed Justicia adhatodoides, previously Duvernoia adhatodoides tree in Kirstenbosch still has smooth, grey-green bark, only rough where a branch had been lost. Fissuring and roughness of the general stem surface are to come.

The velvety surfaces found upon young branches, as well as their typical four-angled shape cannot be seen in the photo.

What can be seen, however, is lumpiness up some of the stems. Also, flat or concave surface parts, like the beginnings of mild fluting, deviate from the generally cylindrical stem shapes (Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com).