Ficus cordata subsp. cordata leaf

The ovate leaf of Ficus cordata subsp. cordata earned it the specific name of cordata, meaning heart-shaped. The leaf averages a length of about 7 cm and is about half as wide. The petiole is usually longer than 2 cm. The leaves are spirally arranged around the young stems. No stipules are visible in this picture. Leaf stipules on young leaves are usually velvety with fine hairs.

The leaf base is square or lobed, contributing to the cordate outline. The entire margin tapers to an acutely pointed tip. The leaf surface is dull to dark green and hairless. The cream-coloured leaf midrib is prominent, especially on the lower surface. Two characteristic lateral veins ascend towards the margins from the leaf base. They are larger than the five to eight parallel ones found at irregular intervals further up towards the tip and not necessarily opposite each other. Some net-veining is visible.

The ring marks around the young stems that occur at every leaf node are notable in this photo (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997).