The pinnate leaves of Schotia afra var. afra comprise two rows of leaflets curving in along the rachis in a V-shape. There is no terminal leaflet, a structure known as paripinnate.

The oblong and oblique leaflet has entire margins, tapering to rounded at the tip ending in a tiny spine. The leaflet base is rounded and sessile, i.e. without petiolule (leaflet stalk). The blade surfaces are dark green and smooth, the midribs visible (Coates Palgrave, 2002).