Markings on the alternate Tarchonanthus littoralis leaves are sometimes little in evidence, apart from slightly sunken midribs upon the dark green surfaces. Leaves tend to curve down to their tips and variably to the margins that are here entire, sometimes minutely toothed. Leaf-tips are slightly rounded on the elliptic leaves in the photo. The leaves of the coastal camphor bush may also be obovate or narrowly elliptic, up to 14 cm long and 4,5 cm wide.

The flowers and fruits may be spaced in small groups with white woolly stalks showing among them (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot; http://pza.sanbi.org).