Searsia tomentosa stem-tip

A Searsia tomentosa stem-tip of young, alternate leaves may be yellow-green for a short while, the upper leaf surfaces turning dark green but may remain notably glossy. The lower surfaces of the trifoliolate leaflets are paler, not as hairy or tomentose as older leaves yet. The margins appear rolled under in the photo. Almost no sign of the occasional marginal toothing is seen here, although leaflet margin damage is notable. The midribs and ascending lateral veins are prominent on the lower surface, very slightly sunken on top.

The leaflet petiolules are short on this plant, appearing about absent. They may be up to 5 mm long, the central leaflet petiolule sometimes longer than those of the laterals. The reddish petioles in picture are clearly much longer, may be up to 3,5 cm long. They may also be grey and slightly grooved (Venter, 2012; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; iNaturalist).