The irregular lobes of the Gossypium herbaceum subsp. africanum leaf resemble short, thick fingers, the leaf margins entire. Pale veins fan out from the leaf base.

The leaves hang down, concealing much of their long stalks. The dots on the leaf stalks match spots that are sporadically seen on other plant parts of this species. These spots are oil glands, sometimes black. Close inspection will disclose spots on some leaf surfaces in picture as well.

Note the tiny, narrowly pointed leaf stipules at the base of a leaf stalk upon the stem (Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1996; Letty, 1962; iSpot; Mannheimer and Curtis, (Eds.), 2009; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).