Retzia capensis stem-tip leaves

The narrow, silky leaves of Retzia capensis grow in dense whorls on the stems. On young stems these whorls may comprise three leaves, lower down four or five. The leaves are green to dark green, lacking stipules.

Leaves close to the flower-bearing tips are larger than lower down. Their margins are rolled under and they taper abruptly into tiny spine-like tips. The initial hairiness of the young leaves reduces as they mature, but the hairiness is variable. On the plant in picture the upper leaves near the flowers are typically yellow to orange, maybe more so in the summer flowering season (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Mustart, et al, 2005)