Euclea undulata dense foliage

The leaves of Euclea undulata are positioned variably: sometimes opposite to sub-opposite, but also in whorls of three or four. Leaves are usually clustered near branch-tips.

The leaves are small, obovate to elliptic, their dimensions 2 cm to 4 cm by 0,5 cm to 1,5 cm. Leaf texture is stiff, leathery and hairless. Leaf colour is dark green, olive green to blue-green, sometimes rusty brown from a granular substance exuded on new growth. The leaf tip tapers, attenuates or is rounded; the base tapers. The margins are rolled under and often wave conspicuously as in the photo, explaining the specific name of undulata. Being a variable tree, the leaves may also be nearly flat. Leaf petioles are short, 1 m to 3 mm in length (Grant, et al, 2003; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).