Maytenus oleoides leaves

The simple leaves of Maytenus oleoides are spirally arranged on short petioles.

The leaf-shape is elliptic to obovate with a rounded to notched tip and a tapering base. The margins are entire and rolled under. Leaves are usually about 3 cm long and 1 cm wide, occasionally up to double that size.

Leaf texture is thick, leathery and hairless. The upper surface colour is bright to dull green, covered in a bluish bloom, paler on the lower surface. The leaf midrib is cream, ridged on the upper surface, the lateral veins obscure to invisible.

When broken, the leaf exudes a pale green sap (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997).