Encephalartos altensteinii new leaves

New leaves have sprouted at the tip of this Encephalartos altensteinii stem. They have a fresh colour and stand closely erect, away from the older leaves that they will later join as the lowest, old ones slowly die off below.

The distinct leaf petioles can be observed, bare below the small, lowest leaves that are not mere prickles in this species (Hugo, 2014; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist).