The leaves of Xysmalobium undulatum var. undulatum are hairy, often wavy and twisting. The leaves are positioned opposite and ascending, shaped lanceolate or slightly ovate and tapering to acute tips. Leaf bases are rounded or lobed. Leaf colour is dark, dull green, sometimes tinged with red, the leaf texture rough to the touch. There is a short, thick petiole that continues into the prominent, creamy white midrib. Lateral veins are closely spaced, parallel with slight meandering to a marginal vein that joins them close to the leaf margin (iSpot; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; www.plantzafrica.com).