Changes

The composition of fresh leaves of ''Barleria opaca'' is per 100 g: moisture 81 g, energy 230 kJ (55 kcal), protein 3.6 g, fat 0.5 g, carbohydrate 11.7 g, fibre 2.7 g, Ca 874 mg , Mg 104 mg, P 38 mg and Zn 0.6 mg (Leung, W.-T.W., Busson, F. & Jardin, C., 1968).

Scrambling shrub with hairy stems, sometimes rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite, simple; petiole up to 0.5 cm long; blade elliptical, c. 7.5 cm × 3.5 cm, tapering at both ends, margin entire, with scattered simple hairs at both surfaces. Inflorescence cymose, 1–3-flowered, close together in the upper leaf axils, at apex of branches ending in a dense spike-like structure. Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic, up to 4 cm long; calyx 4-lobed, 2 outer lobes lanceolate, 13–17 mm long, 2 inner ones smaller, shortly bifid at apex; corolla bell-shaped, 2-labiate, white to very pale blue; stamens 2, anthers blue, staminodes 3; ovary superior, 2-celled, glabrous, style terete, glabrous, stigmas 2-lobed. Fruit a spindle-shaped, compressed capsule c. 1 cm long, 2-seeded. Seeds discoid, densely covered by brownish hygroscopic hairs.