'polymorphic-leaved' originates from modern English, formed as a compound using Greek 'polymorphos' (where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'morph' meant 'form') combined with English 'leaf' (Old English 'lēaf') plus the adjectival/past-participial '-ed' meaning 'having'.

'polymorphic' entered English via scientific Latin and modern botanical usage from Greek 'polymorphos'; 'leaved' derives from Old English 'lēaf' (leaf) with the adjectival formation '-ed'. These elements were joined in modern botanical English to create the compound 'polymorphic-leaved'.

Initially the components literally meant 'many' + 'form' and 'leaf'; over time the compound came to be used specifically in botanical descriptions to mean 'having leaves of more than one form'.