Grewia monticola leaves

Leaf variations in Grewia monticola are even present among those on one young branch as in the photo. Typically elliptic, oblong or ovate in shape, the shine, shade of green, marginal serrations, shape of the tip and vein visibility (or prominence) hold identification difficulties that may multiply on plants across the geographical distribution and the range of climatic conditions that suit this species.

The pronounced skewness of the leaf base is still present, as is the whiteness of the lower leaf surface; but those features are shared with other Grewia species, so look harder.

The simple, alternate leaves have short velvety petioles. The leathery leaf blades near a stem-tip adhere more or less to one plane, apart from some lateral in-curving. Leaf dimensions are 2,5 cm to 9 cm by 1 cm to 5 cm.

This branch-tip was photographed in December in the Mjejane Game Reserve on the southern bank of the Crocodile River in the east of Mpumalanga (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; iSpot).