Acanthaceae - Barleria family

Herbs, shrubs or sometimes climbers. Stipules 0. Leaves opposite, usually entire, less often toothed. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic or zygomorphic. Bracts and bracteoles usually present. Calyx 4-5-partite, rarely 2-lipped or with 10-18 teeth (Thunbergia). Corolla gamopetalous, 1-2-lipped or 5-lobed. Stamens 2 or 4, inserted on corolla. Anthers 1- or 2-thecous, with thecae together or one above the other. Ovary superior, 2-locular with (1-)2(-3 or more) ovules in each loculus. Fruit a loculicidal capsule, often explosively dehiscent.

Comment: This large family with attractive and colourful flowers always catches one's eye in the field. Unfortunately recent and up-to-date information is still hard to come by. Both parts for the Flora of Tropical East Africa have recently come out and we are now eagerly awaiting the release of Flora Zambesiaca for this family.

Worldwide: 229 genera and 3450 species, mostly tropical.