Acanthaceae - Barleria family

Small trees, 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. For many years, up-to-date information was hard to come by; however, recently both parts of Flora Zambesiaca have come out and information about the family is now available.

Worldwide: 229 genera and 3450 species, mostly tropical.

Zimbabwe: 39 genera and 179 taxa.