Ziziphus mucronata subsp. mucronata leaves

The alternate, simple leaves of Ziziphus mucronata subsp. mucronata grow on hairy petioles of about 2 cm long, often in the same plane facing the light.

Leaf shape is ovate to broadly so. The leaf apex tapers, sometimes crowned with a hair-like tip. This hair-like tip brought the tree its specific name, mucronata. The botanical term mucronate means ending abruptly in a short sharp point, also called a mucro. The leaf base is distinctly asymmetric, rounded to lobed on one side, tapering on the other.

Three large veins (sometimes two additional smaller ones on the sides as well), emerge from the leaf base. Many smaller lateral veins curve forward along these main ones upon the smooth, dark to light green, shiny leaf surface. Soft, pale brown hairs may grow on the lower surfaces of the leaves that are slightly paler than above.

Leaf margins are finely toothed along the upper leaf parts and often wavy.

Leaf dimensions are variable, 3 cm to 8 cm by 2 cm to 5 cm (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Grant and Thomas, 2001).