The leaves of Podalyria hirsuta are simple and alternate, growing on short stalks. The leaf shape is ovate, folding in along the midrib or the margins curving in. The leaf margins are entire, tapering to the base and to their acutely pointed tips. The leaves have a dense covering of hairs on their upper surfaces and are felted below. The young leaves as in the photo have red margins for a while.

The Podalyria genus occurs mainly in fynbos and in the winter rainfall region (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot).