| Malesherbia humilis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Passifloraceae |
| Genus: | Malesherbia |
| Species: | M. humilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Malesherbia humilis | |
Malesherbia humilis is an annual herb that grows in the subtropics of northern and central Chile to Argentina. [1]
While M. humilis was originally classified as Malesherbia in 1829 by Poeppig stating that the species was "shaggy" with a low prostrate stem, lunceolate leaves, pedunculate pale blue flowers. [2] Roemer would suggest its reclassification as Gynopleura in 1846, [3] however the species has remained classified as Malesherbia.
Historically, M. humilis was a member of the Malesherbia humilis complex, composed of Malesherbia humilis, M. gabrielae, M. multiflora, and M. taltalina, however, Ricardi would reclassify each member as an individual species. Leaving only the M. humilis varieties as members of the complex. [4]
As of 2022, there are three accepted varieties of M. humilis, var. humilis, [1] var. parviflora, [5] var. proqinqua. [6]
Variety humilis was previously classified as Gynopleura dilatata(Walp.). [1] It has the largest range of the varieties, ranging from Northern Chile to Argentina. [7]
Variety parviflora(Phil.) Ricardi differs from var. humilis by its smaller leaves and smaller flowers. [8] It is found in coastal regions and river basins within the Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo regions. [9] It was originally classified as a species, M. parviflora, in 1893, [10] but would reclassified as a variety in 1967. [11]
Variety propinqua(Gay) Ricardi is only found in on the interior semidesert hills in the Coquimbo region. [12] It differs from var. humilis in its larger leaves and larger flowers, which have larger floral cups, sepals, and petals. [8] In 1847 the variety was considered a separate species, M. propinqua, but it would later be demoted to the status of variety in 1897. [13] It is synonymous with var. gabrielae(Ricardi) Gengler. [14]
var. gabrielae reclassified as var. propinqua. var. taltalina reclassified as var. parviflora
Variety identification key [15]
1. Floral tube funnelform when pressed flat, flaring from the base of the ovary to the throat. Distribution:290S-33020'S ........................... 2
1. Floral tube wineglass-shaped when pressed flat, remaining narrow after flaring at the base of the ovary. Distribution: 290S-21..............4
2. Floral tube length generally less than 7mm. Leaf stipules linear and lacking lobes................................................ M. humilis var. humilis
2. Floral tube length greater than or equal to 7 mm. Leaf stipules often bifid or lobed, sometimes linear and/or unlobed.............................3
3. Androgynophore pilose over entire length ..........................................................................................................M. humilis var. gabrielae
3. Androgynophore glabrous, or pilose only at the base of the ovary .................................................................. M. humilis var. propinqua
4. Petals lacking an apical glandular hair .............................................................................................................. M. humilis var. parviflora
4. Petals with a single apical glandular hair ............................................................................................................. M. humilis var. taltalina
Please note - this identification key treats gabrielae and taltalina as accepted varieties.
M. humilis are found from Santiago to Guatacondo, Chile. [15] Some specimen have been collected in the Neuquén province, Argentina. The species are typically found at altitudes under 1000m, but some specimen have been collected up to 2900m. [15] Theygrow in rocky and arid soils. [15]
Malesherbia is a genus of flowering plants consisting of 25 species in the Passifloraceae. This is a xerophytic group endemic to the Peruvian and Chilean deserts and adjacent Argentina. The genus is currently recognized by the APG III system of classification in the family Passifloraceae, and is the sole member of the subfamily Malesherbioideae.
Ulmus davidiana var. japonica, the Japanese elm, is one of the larger and more graceful Asiatic elms, endemic to much of continental northeast Asia and Japan, where it grows in swamp forest on young alluvial soils, although much of this habitat has now been lost to intensive rice cultivation.
Polyachyrus is a genus of South American plants in the family Asteraceae.
Maxillaria parviflora, the purple tiger orchid, is a species of epiphytic orchid native to Florida, the West Indies and through Latin America from Mexico to Bolivia.
Malesherbia auristipulata is a perennial woody shrub in the genus Malesherbia (Passifloraceae). Locally it is called Ají de Zorra. M. auristipulata is commonly found in Northern Chili and rarely in Tacna, Peru. In general, the species range is very restricted as a result M. auristipulata is considered a rare plant. It is likely that there are less than 100 individuals left, classifying the species as critically endangered by the local government.
Malesherbia bracteata is a perennial herb in Malesherbia (Passifloraceae). M. bracteata var. bracteata found in the deserts of the Andes and Coquimbo, while M. bracteata var. campanulata is only found around Embalse La Laguna. Malesherbia bracteata can grow up to 18mm and has white flowers. Variety campanulata differs from variety bracteata in terms of leaf shape, floral cup, and stipules.
Malesherbia corallina, a member of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae), is a subshrub native to the deserts and dry shrubland of Tarapacá Chile. It was originally identified in 2003 by Mélica Muñoz-Schick and Pinto, and is considered very rare with less than 20 plants documented.
Malesherbia densiflora is a perennial herb native to the Andean foothills in Atacama Chile. M. densiflora can grow up to 40 cm tall and has white racemose flowers.
Malesherbia deserticola is a subshrub native to the deserts and dry shrublands of Antofagasta and Atacama Chile. It can reach heights of 40 cm and has white racemose flowers.
Malesherbia fasciculata is a subshrub that is native to the subtropics of Northern and Central Chile.
Malesherbia haemantha is an endangered shrub native to the desert and dry shrubland of Peru.
Malesherbia lactea is a perennial geophyte native to the La Rioja and San Juan regions of Argentina and the Antofagasta and Atacama regions of Chile. It has ovate leaves that end in a sharp point. Similar to other members of Malesherbia, the flowers are red and white, and tubular in shape.
Malesherbia linearifolia is a subshrub native to the Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Metropolitana, and O'Higgins regions of Chile. It was the first member of Malesherbia to be described, with the original description dating to 1797 by Cavanilles.
Malesherbia lirana is a perennial herb whose native range is from Argentina and Chile. The species has racemose inflorescences that are 2 - 3.9 cm in size and cream colored petals. It flowers in spring to late summer.
Malesherbia paniculata is perennial subshrub native to the Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana, and O'Higgins regions of Chile. It can be found at elevations of up to 2600m to sea level. It was originally described in 1827 by D. Don.
Malesherbia scarlatiflora is a shrub native to the pacific slopes of Peru. It grows up to 1 meter tall, has narrow ovate-acuminate leaves, and orange flowers.
Malesherbia solanoides is a subshrub native to the Atacama region of Chile. It was initially described in 1833 by Reise Erde.
Malesherbia splendens is a shrub in the genus Malesherbia. It is colloquially known as Moro, Fox Tail, and Veronica.
Malesherbia tubulosa is subshrub native to central Peru. It is colloquially called Mullaca and Verónica. M. tubulosa can reach heights of 2 meters and has actinomorphic orange flowers.
Malesherbia weberbaueri is species of flowering plant in the family Passifloraceae. It is a subshrub native to Apurímac, Ayacucho, Huancavelica and Junín. It is found at altitudes of 2300-3600 meters.
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