The leaves of the deciduous Coddia rudis are simple and opposite or densely clustered on dwarf spur-branchlets. These branchlets are found along the stems, the leaves growing on short, slender petioles of up to 3 mm long. The stems are unarmed, i.e. without spines, also referred to as spineless, but that is no way to talk about a tree.

The leaf shape is broadly obovate, the apex rounded, slightly tapering or notched, the base narrowly tapering. Leaf size is up to 2 cm by 1,5 cm. The leaf surface is shiny dark green and usually hairless. The leaf margins are entire, often wavy.

The plant is browsed by game and stock, often giving it a compact, cropped appearance (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997).