Older stem-tip leaves of Berkheya spinosa become darker green to somewhat blue and more leathery (or coriaceous). The blades remain smooth while the margins appear whitish and partly raised to channelled in some leaves. In others, the blade halves fold in slightly along the midribs that are visibly white in their lower parts. The thin spines protrude from the lobe tips (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008).