Callilepis laureola leaves

The variable leaves of Callilepis laureola are simple, stalkless and stem-clasping, growing in a basal rosette and alternate on the stems, decreasing in size on the way up.

The narrow to lance-shaped blades are three-veined from the base, in picture showing a wide, pale midrib without signs of the lateral counterparts. Leaf tips are acutely pointed, probably more on stem leaves, basal leaves more likely to be round-tipped, but that conclusion was drawn from a small sample. The leaves are hairless or lightly hairy, the hairs may be glandular. The leaf margins may be toothed as in the photo where tiny hair-like or soft, spiny protrusions from the teeth point backwards. Some plants have leaves with entire margins.

Leaf dimensions are about 6,5 cm long and 2 cm wide (Manning, 2009; Germishuizen and Clarke, 2003; Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).