Barleria crassa subsp. ramulosoides I.Darbysh.

Flora Zambesiaca Acanthaceae (part 2) by Iain Darbyshire, Kaj Vollesen and Ensermu Kelbessa

Diagnostic

subsp. nov. Differs from subsp. crassa and subsp. mbalensis in the outer calyx lobes being elliptic or obovate with base cuneate, not ovate with base rounded, truncate or cordate, and in having prominent apical spines on the young leaves.

Leaves

Leaves with spine tip conspicuous at least when young, typically 1–2 mm long.

Calyx

Young calyx pale green to mauve(-brown), outer lobes broadly elliptic or obovate, 10.5–15 × 5–7.5(9) mm, base attenuate or cuneate, margin denticulate to spinulose-dentate; lateral lobes 4–7.5 mm long.

Corolla

Corolla blue or purple, sparsely pilose externally; tube 15–22 mm long; abaxial and lateral lobes 9–14 mm long; adaxial lobes 6–9.5 mm long.

Staminodes

Lateral staminodes 1.2–2.8 mm long, with pilose hairs throughout or at base only; antherodes minute, 0.2–0.4 mm long.

Distribution

Not known elsewhere.

Ecology

Rocky slopes and hill summits, including in miombo woodland; 1200–1650 m.

Conservation

Conservation notes: Known from only 7 collections in EC and NE Zambia, it is clearly scarce but is found in a largely unthreatened habitat; not threatened.