Vanhouttea leaves
The picture shows four vanhouttea leaves from the back. The petioles (leafstalks) were clipped as close to the stem as possible.
The leaves are similar in most respects, but a few differences can be seen.
V. calcarata
has the smallest leaf of the four.
Leaf size depends a lot on where and how a plant is grown, but
the relatively small size of the
V. calcarata
leaf is consistent under my growing conditions.
V. lanata
has the shortest petiole.
The leaves are almost sessile. The other species (including
V. hilariana, not pictured here)
have "normal" petioles.
V. pendula
has red petioles.
This is not so evident in this view.
From the top, the difference in petiole color is clear.
The other three species (and V. hilariana) have "normal" green petioles.
The leaves are hairy, in differing degrees.
The first photo, being taken from above, does not bring out the
hairiness too well.
