The alternate leaves of Pegolettia retrofracta have entire margins and obtusely pointed or rounded tips. There are short, white hairs scattered sparsely along the wavy leaf surfaces. The leaves have short petioles.

These leaves can be distinguished from the other draaibos growing in the Little Karoo, viz. P. baccaridifolia that has toothed leaf margins. Both these Pegolettia plants have strongly aromatic leaves, palatable to stock and game. Farmers seeing an abundance of Pegolettia in their veld have confirmation that the land is not overgrazed (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot).