Lasiodiscus mildbraedii is small tree in the family Rhamnaceae

Rhamnaceae

Rhamnaceae, the Buckthorn family, is a large family of flowering plants, mostly trees, shrubs and some vines.The family contains 50-60 genera and approximately 870-900 species. The Rhamnaceae have a worldwide distribution, but are more common in the subtropical and tropical regions...

. It occurs locally along the African east coast from South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

 northwards and in the African tropics. It is sometimes a dominant component of tropical forest understorey. Groups of small pale flowers are carried on long stalks in spring. The fruits reach maturity at the end of summer. The leaves have an opposite arrangement as in all members of Lasiodiscus

Lasiodiscus

Lasiodiscus is a small plant genus in the family Rhamnaceae, endemic to Africa and its adjacent islands. The small trees have opposite, often asymmetric leaves. They regularly occur in the understorey of tropical forests, or alternatively in swamp forest. One species is limited to mountain forest...

. The leaf texture is somewhat rough and leathery. Leaf undersides are somewhat rufous toned.