Diospyros austro-africana var. austro-africana leaf midrib

The midrib of the Diospyros austro-africana var. austro-africana leaf is prominent and broad on the hairy lower surface. The lateral veins ascend straight to the margins, more visible near the midrib.

Leaf petioles are small, mostly absorbed in the tapering of the leaf bases. Leaf margins are entire, the visible tips pointed in picture.

The stems are brownish grey, their surfaces aged early to a dry bark. Gnarled where leaves had dropped off, not too far from the stem tips… life in karoid conditions has its challenges, forcing adaptation to coping responses of regulating the growth rate (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iSpot; www.pza.sanbi.org).