A picture from the same plant, after the shadows moved and the sun fell on it:



It was foggy this morning and there was still snow on the ground so I'm sure it contributed to this odd, spiky crystal effect.
Not sure of the scientific reason, but that's where I'm laying the blame.
This shrub is semi-evergreen; it's somewhat like a boxwood (also evergreen), but the leaves have a slight serration, almost like the groundcover pachysandra which is also evergreen. I really like having something green in the yard that actually doesn't look like a pine tree, but more like a normal plant.