Terminalia sericea leaves

Close to the Terminalia sericea stem-tip there are no leaves on the branches. Upper stem parts are pale green, colour changes accompany the stages of stem maturation. This deciduous tree starts every summer season with new leaves grown right at the stem-tips. The ascending, short-stalked leaves end in short, pointy protrusions called mucros at their almost rounded, obtusely tapering tips.

The young leaves confirm the appropriateness of the silver cluster-leaf name of this tree. The lustre added by the short, silvery leaf hairs brings a softening effect rather than a blatant announcement of hairs being present.

Old leaves may lose their hair from the upper surfaces, an unusual manifestation of baldness. Upper leaf surfaces are markedly darker than the lower ones, the youngest leaves at the stem-tips also paler above with a hint of coppery tint.

The leaf midribs and ascending lateral veins are clearer to see on the dark upper surfaces, also less visible upon the youngest leaves not full size yet; the hairs hide underlying features. The leaf venation protrudes on the lower surfaces (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).