Quick 2 questions.

1. Cupping/canoeing of the leaves is underwatering/heat stress right?
2. what are the pistol-esque v-shaped (pointed at by the arrow)structures that grow ninety degrees from branches on the main stem? I've noticed them for some time and always been curious what they are, or what there purpose might be if anything.

1.yes canoeing of leafs is heat stress
2.they r called stipules-Small flaps of tissue at the base of the petiole of a leaf, near its attachment to the main axis. They can be leaf-like or small and not easily seen or sometimes falling off leaving only a small scar