Barleria hydeana I.Darbysh.

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

Diagnostic

sp. nov. Differs from B. bremekampii in the more lax inflorescences which are always single-flowered (mature inflorescences 2 to several flowered in B. bremekampii), the short glandular-viscid inflorescence indumentum with only sparse interspersed eglandular hairs (silky mixed eglandular and glandular hairs on calyx which cover the surface in B. bremekampii) and the proportionally narrower leaves (length to width ratio 2.4–3 :1 vs. 1.3–1.65 :1 in B. bremekampii).

Morphology General Habit

Spiny (–)shrub; stems with ± dense short spreading pale eglandular hairs and long spreading or ascending buff-coloured hairs, upper internodes densely short viscid glandular-pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves subsessile, (oblong)elliptic, 1.2–2 × 0.5–0.75 cm, base obtuse or acute, apex acute, mucronate, upper surface, margin and veins beneath with numerous long pale-buff ascending or subappressed hairs, lower surface with numerous fine short spreading hairs between veins, uppermost leaves also glandular-pubescent; lateral veins 3–4 pairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence axillary, single-flowered, densely viscid glandular-pubescent throughout; peduncle 10–16 mm long; bracteoles spinose, 13–19 × 1 mm, triangular in cross-section, margin entire, pairs persisting at lower nodes and on old leafless stems as stalked paired axillary spines; pedicels 1.5–8 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx dark brown in dry state, accrescent; anterior lobe oblong-obovate or obovate-elliptic, 10–12 × 4–4.5 mm in flower to 15–16 × 7–7.5 mm in fruit, margin at first subentire but 2–6 prominent spinulose teeth sometimes developing in distal half in fruit, apex acuminate into a prominent spine, surfaces densely short glandular-pubescent and sparsely strigose along veins and margin; posterior lobe as anterior but 12.5–15 × 4–5.2 mm in flower to 15.5–18 × 7.5–8.5 mm in fruit; lateral lobes linear-lanceolate, 6.5–8.5 mm long in flower to 9.5–12 mm in fruit.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla c.35 mm long (one flower measured), colour in life unknown, drying blue-black, eglandular-pubescent and glandular-pilose externally; tube c.18 mm long, cylindrical in proximal half, campanulate above; limb in 2+3 arrangement; abaxial lobe c.15.5 × 12 mm; lateral lobes c.17 × 13.5 mm; adaxial lobes much reduced, 3.8–5 × 3.5–3.7 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens attached c.8 mm from base of corolla tube; filaments c.17 mm long; anthers exserted, c.5.5 mm long; lateral staminodes 2.5–3.5 mm long, densely pilose, antherodes undeveloped.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary glabrous except for small tuft of white hairs at apex; style glabrous; stigma clavate, 0.6 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 18–19 mm long, glabrous except apical tuft of hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Only immature seeds seen.

Distribution

Not known elsewhere.

Ecology

Grazed grassland with shrubs; 1250–1500 m.

Conservation

Conservation notes: Endemic to C Zimbabwe where it is known from only two collections, probably scarce and highly localised; possibly a serpentine specialist. Currently assessed as Data Deficient but extreme range restriction may make it Vulnerable.