The spiny Barleria rotundifolia is an evergreen shrub that
produces beautiful butter-yellow flowers from December to late
summer, and is ideal for those sensitive places you would like
to protect from destructive feet, as it produces an attractive
thorny barrier. This spiny, evergreen, rambling shrub grows
fairly fast, up to 1 m, with a rounded shape; it produces small,
shiny green leaves and yellow tubular flowers from December to
March. The four upper lobes of the flower separate from the
lower lobe to form an open tube from which 2 stamens and the
style protrude. The fruit is a small exploding capsule.
Distribution and habitat Barleria rotundifolia is found in the
summer rainfall area of the Lowveld region situated in the
eastern parts of South Africa where it grows in well-drained
soils throughout rocky hilltops (koppies) and hillsides in full
sun to semi-shade and is able to withstand a moderate amount of
frost. Rainfall ranges from 500-750 mm per annum with
temperatures rising to 30°C. Derivation of nam