Barleria obtusa flower

Barleria obtusa is an evergreen shrublet that may scramble into adjacent trees, reaching heights around 2 m.

The leaves are opposite, soft and hairy with entire margins. Net-veining is prominent below, indented on the upper surface.

The blue, violet, white or pink flowers are tubular with spreading lobes. They grow from branch-tips and leaf axils. There is a conspicuous style and two stamens with violet coloured pollen. The woody fruit capsules dehisce, scattering their seeds forcibly. Flowering happens in autumn.

The plants are browsed by antelope (www.plantzafrica.com).