Oldenburgia grandis leaf rosette

The simple leaves of Oldenburgia grandis are an important part of the tree’s attraction. The leaves are clustered in rosettes at stem-tips.

The leaf-shape is oblong to ovate and leathery, the tip tapering broadly to rounded, the base tapering. The leaves are large, leaf dimensions about 33 cm long and 15 cm wide.

The leaf midrib is broad and conspicuously protruding. The margins are rolled under and entire. The blade is stiff, shiny green on the upper surface and white velvety on the lower one, somewhat like the leaf of a loquat tree.

The leaves may be poisonous (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.kew.org).