The minuscule, pointed leaves of Elytropappus rhinocerotis lie flat against the young stems. Spiralling up the stems fairly close to each other, some of the white woolly upper stem covering is still visible in the spaces around the leaves in picture.

Leaf colour fluctuates considerably on these plants in line with their environmental fortunes: from green to pale green, grey green or plain grey.

Clusters of pale brown flowerheads emerge at stem tips or close to them (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; Wikipedia; www.plantsinstock.co.za).