Afrocanthium mundianum young stems

The leaves of Afrocanthium mundianum are opposite or whorled on spur-branchlets. Their shape varies from elliptic or ovate to nearly circular. The leaves are thinly textured, sparsely hairy or not at all, their main veins conspicuous. The lateral veins angled upwards from the leaf midrib are about parallel. The leaf surfaces bulge in quilted fashion on the upper surfaces between the recessed veins.

The spaced, opposite branches, slightly ascending or spreading almost horizontally in picture present the typical appearance of the tree when young.

A. gilfillanii is a similar small tree or shrub with dense leaf hairiness that creates a soft, velvety texture (Coates Palgrave, 2002).