Heteromorpha arborescens var. abyssinica leaf

The leaf-shape of Heteromorpha arborescens var. abyssinica varies much, even on the same plant. Sometimes a simple leaf, especially in the Cape and some dry regions, the more common variations include trifoliolate ones as well as imparipinnate and palmate ones.

In the photo two lateral groups of three leaflets each, as well as four at the apex make up the leaf. The terminal leaflet has a much longer petiolule than the others, some of them sessile. Leaflet shape varies from ovate and elliptic to obovate and sickle-shaped. The leaflet margins are entire, here not particularly wavy. There may be hairs along midribs and margins of the leaflets. Leaf petioles vary much in length, from 0,5 cm to 5 cm.

This photo is from the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, as are the ones of stem tips appearing in this Album. The leaf colour is light green to grey-green (Coates Palgrave, 2002).