Barleria pretoriensis C.B.Clarke

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

Morphology General Habit

Much-branched subshrub or perennial herb 30–80 cm tall, erect, straggling or decumbent; stems with many white stiffly appressed medifixed hairs 0.2–0.5 mm long; upper internodes often with short spreading glandular hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves lanceolate or narrowly oblong, 2–5 × 0.3–1 cm, base rounded to cuneate, apex acute, apiculate, surfaces with sparse biramous (medifixed and/or anvil-shaped) hairs 0.4–0.8 mm long, often restricted to margin and midrib beneath; lateral veins 3–4 pairs; petiole 1–5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences single-flowered in upper axils and subterminal, often one flower per node, widely spaced, sessile or peduncle to 4 mm long; bracts foliaceous, reduced upwards, typically 10–18 × 1.5–3.5 mm at uppermost nodes; bracteoles linear-lanceolate, narrowly elliptic or narrowly spathulate, (3)5–12(24) × 0.4–2(6) mm, hairs as on leaves, usually with short spreading glandular hairs; pedicels 0–3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Outer calyx lobes subequal, narrowly lanceolate, anterior lobe 8–17.5 × 2.5–4 mm, apex notched for 0.7(2) mm, surface with dense white appressed, simple and biramous (often anvil-shaped) hairs and sparse to numerous spreading glandular hairs, prominently 2-veined; posterior lobe with apex acute, surface with 1 or 3 prominent veins; lateral lobes linear-lanceolate, 7.5–13.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 38–60 mm long, white at first, turning pale mauve, pink or violet; pubescent mainly on lateral lobes externally, hairs mainly glandular; tube cylindrical, 13.5–25 mm long, barely expanded towards mouth; limb in 4+1 arrangement; abaxial lobe 19.5–27.5 × 9–12.5 mm, offset by 3.5–7.5 mm; lateral lobes 19–26 × 7–13 mm; adaxial lobes 20–30 × 5–9.5 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens attached 7–9 mm from corolla base; filaments 21–33 mm long; anthers 3.2–4.5(5) mm long; lateral staminodes 0.8–2.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary with dense appressed buff-coloured hairs throughout; style glabrous; stigma 2–3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 13–18 mm long, appressed-hairy including some anvil-shaped hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c.5 × 4 mm.

Distribution

Also in northern South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West).

Ecology

Open rocky hillslopes, rock crevices or in sparse bushland and wooded grassland; 1000–1350 m.

Conservation

Conservation notes: Local but apparently common in N South Africa; Least Concern.