The simple, alternate leaves of Cliffortia cuneata are wedge-shaped, narrowing to the base. The square leaf-tips are angularly toothed, the lateral margins entire. The pale midribs on the deep green blades are prominent on the lower surface.
There is reddish, flaking bark on the older branches, the young tips smooth and cream-coloured (Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).