Combretum molle young leaves

The young Combretum molle leaves seen here show the opposite pairing in which they grow along the upper stems. Their pale yellow-green colour is turned slightly grey by a velvety covering, so fine that the detail of venation is still clearly displayed. The velvety look is confirmed by touch and recognised in the tree’s common name of velvet bushwillow.

The growth tip is darker, suggesting colours like orange, brown and purple. Leaf beginnings are narrow and pointed, the acute tips lost on many rounded mature leaves, although some retain broadly (obtusely) pointed tips.

Even the thin upper branches appear gnarled where old leaves have dropped from the nodes (Carr, 1988).