The shiny green leaves of Heteropyxis natalensis appear lush in January on a sunny day in the Pretoria rainy season. The leaves curve down along the length of their midribs, as well as being channelled, folding or curving in laterally to form a V-shape or a broad U-shape. A few wavy margins and twisted midribs are to be seen.

Large clusters of greenish yellow flower buds top the stem tips; they may also grow from leaf axils. The flowering season lasts from summer to early autumn (Coates Palgrave, 2002).