Hairiness at Phylica imberbis var. imberbis stem-tips is increased when there is blooming on the way.

The still ascending leaves have dark green outlines apart from hairiness above and much more of it below. Those at the stem-tips where buds are concealed among the hairs appear even longer-haired.

The older, tall stem in the background has its leaves spreading, much less hairy than the young tips (Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Moriarty, 1997; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).