The dense profusion of leaves seen at this Erica unicolor subsp. mutica stem-tip indicates recent multiple branching. The leaves are still erect for a while in the tip cluster.

The soft, white hairs may be concentrated along the leaf margins that are rolled under. Leaf softness during these early stages is reflected in the faint translucence detectable against the sunlight.

The pale, longitudinal line where the rolled-under margins don’t quite touch is visible on some leaves turned away from the camera (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).