Acanthaceae

Barleria lupulina

Common Names: Barleria

Plant Form: Small upright shrub. Size: Up to 1.5 m tall. Stem: Robust, hairless and with 2-5 spines up to 2 cm long at the base of branches. Green, sometimes reddish. Leaves: Oval shaped, up to 13 cm long, smooth edges but spiny tip, prominent red midrib. Occasionally hairy. Flowers: In dense spike-like clusters at branch tips, yellow tubular flowers which fan out. With stamens extending out of flower. Fruit and Seeds: Small oval shaped capsules turning from green to brown as they mature, containing one or two disk-shaped seeds. Habitat: Open woodlands, riparian areas, roadsides, walking tracks, waste areas. Distinguishing Features: Red midrib on leaves distinguishes from Barleria prionitis (also commonly called Barleria). Impacts: Forms dense thickets that block people and stock, affects species diversity, spikes can injure.