Strophanthus speciosus leaves

The simple leaves of Strophanthus speciosus grow in whorls of three. The petioles are up to 6 mm long with three scale-like glands in the axils but no stipules present.

The leaf-shape is narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, the base and tip both tapering, or the tip rounded. The leaf margins are entire and rolled under. The glossy, dark green blades are leathery with neat rows of many parallel, lateral veins ascending to spreading from creamy midribs. Lower leaf surfaces are paler. The smooth blades are thinly textured and hairless.

Leaf dimensions are 3 cm to 10 cm long by 1 cm to 2 cm wide. Plants in the south of the distribution range tend to have smaller leaves than the northerly ones (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1996; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org).