I really know little about plants, but thought maybe it was a tumor... So I looked up plant tumors, and I guess they are called galls (not all galls are caused by parasites--I learn something new everyday!
), and according to this website (
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/pljuly99.htm--don't know how trustworthy), these gall/tumors can be smooth. So, maybe it is a tumor. I really wish I knew more about botany and could research more, but it's my bedtime. I did find this example of a smooth gall at the base of a leaf:
http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/celtis_reticulata.html
....But, part of me kind of hopes it's not a gall/tumor, so that this is appropriate: