Metalasia erubescens

This Fernkloof Metalasia erubescens plant is finding the December hot, dry weather taxing, judging from the yellowness of its foliage. Winter rain will turn the leaves green. A good root system and slower metabolism contribute to the plant reaching that destination. The plant is covered in white and woolly hairs. They also help in coping with moisture loss.

The upper stems are covered in narrow, hairy, twisted leaves, sometimes growing in tufts. Lower stem parts tend to become bare as older leaves drop off. Leaves may be as short as 2 mm or as long as 18 mm (Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist).