Ziziphus rivularis leaves

The simple leaves of Ziziphus rivularis are alternate to spiralling on the stems. The petioles or leaf stalks are from 4 mm to 10 mm long. There are minute stipules at the base of the petiole.

The leaf-shape is elliptic to ovate, sometimes lanceolate (narrower) and nearly symmetrical, usually not quite at both base and tip. The leaf tip tapers to an acute point, the base is rounded. The margins are finely toothed, sometimes more so in the upper part of the leaf, the lower part less toothed or entire. Leaf dimensions are 3,5 cm to 7 cm long and 1 cm to 3,5 cm wide.

The leathery blade is dark green to bright green, glossy above, slightly paler below. The leaf is conspicuously three-veined from the base, the veins meeting near the leaf tip in the blade. A couple of secondary outer veins are sometimes visible, often obscure as the net-veining. Some hairiness may occur along the veins particularly on the lower surface on younger leaves, not a stable feature (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Codd, 1951).