A Trema orientalis leaf-base is slightly asymmetrical, the three veins emerging from the base augmented by additional ones on the outside of the lateral pair.

The margin is toothed all the way around the blade, apart from right at the base, as seen in the picture. In picture, creamy net-veining is visible on the dark green blade part.

The petiole is grooved on top, as are the veins. The petiole is also finely hairy like the reddish stem.

The dense cluster of flowers growing from the leaf axil is green on buds, cream on open florets. The squat buds are vertically ribbed, the open petals boat-shaped (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; Pooley, 1993).