The alternate leaves of Cyphostemma lanigerum have petioles but no petiolules on their three to five digitate leaflets.

The pendulous or spreading leaflets are elliptic to obovate, the margins finely toothed to only coarse; some margins slightly wavy. The blades fold in along their midribs and often curve down for the leaf centres to be horizontal, the leaflet tips pendulous. Lower leaflet surfaces are slightly paler and hairier.

Lateral veins ascend fairly evenly spaced and parallel from the midribs, curving in a little but reach the margins. Branching in the upper vein parts and dense, surrounding net-veining render the surface coarse or finely quilted, sunken on the upper side (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; iNaturalist; http://growwild.co.za).