New growth on an Elephantorrhiza burkei branchlet shows a grown leaf with a full range of pinnae as well as one that hardly managed more than two. Younger leaves are markedly greener than the typical blue-green or glaucous colour of this tree’s mature leaves.

On the newest growth the leaflets are close together, if described as feathery, the feathers appear wet as those of the newly hatched. Spreading on longish petioles will soon sort out such a false impression, not from sun or wind, but from natural growth.