The leaves of Pterygodium crispum alternate up the flower stem, the leaf bases sheathing it.

The leaves are lance-shaped, tapering to acutely pointed tips. Dark spots are conspicuous on the surfaces at the leaf bases, as are the strongly wavy or crisped margins giving the plant its specific name.

The leaves become up to 12 cm long and 2 cm wide at the base (Liltved and Johnson, 2012; Le Roux, et al, 2005).