| Malesherbia lirana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Passifloraceae |
| Genus: | Malesherbia |
| Species: | M. lirana |
| Binomial name | |
| Malesherbia lirana | |
Malesherbia lirana is a perennial herb whose native range is from Argentina and Chile. [1] The species has racemose inflorescences that are 2 - 3.9 cm in size and cream colored petals. [2] [3] It flowers in spring to late summer. [4]
There are currently three accepted varieties of M. lirana, var. atacamensis(Bull-Hereñu), var. lirana, and var. subglabrifolia(Kuntze). [5]
Variety atacamensis is native to the slopes of the Andes. [6] It differs from var. lirana as it's taller, has oblong shaped leaves, produces multiple flowers per stem, and its flowers have a shorter yellow corona. [7]
Variety lirana has protruding stamen, a trait unique to the variety. [4]
Var. lirana has been reclassified a series of times, it has previously been classified as the following, Malesherbia cuneata, Malesherbia hieronymi, Malesherbia incana, Malesherbia lirana var. hieronymi, Malesherbia lirana var. subtomentosa, Malesherbia serpyllifolia. [8]
Variety subglabrifolia is found in the Mendoza, in Andean areas between elevations of 2300 and 2500. [9] It has narrower and shorter floral tubes than var. lirana and less hairy leaves. [4]
Var. subglabrifolia is commonly known as meloncillo. It is toxic to cattle and goat, when ingested the livestock will die. [10] It was previously classified as Malesherbia mendocina. [11]
The Passifloraceae are a family of flowering plants, containing about 750 species classified in around 27 genera.
Abatia is a genus of about ten species of Central and South American trees in the family Salicaceae. Previously, it was treated in the family Flacourtiaceae, or tribe Abatieae of the family Passifloraceae or Samydaceae by G. Bentham & J.D. Hooker and Hutchinson.
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.
Malesherbia laraosensis is a member of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae) described in 2014 by Hamilton Beltran and Maximilian Weigend. It is the only member of the genus known to inhabit Laraos, Peru. It is described as a small shrub, with branch lengths up to 15 cm long, these features make it morphologically distinct from other Peruvian members of the genus. It has orange flowers with red tips, and flowers from May - July.
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. The flowers of M. fasciculata are white with red sepals, dark purple anthers, and are globular in shape.
Malesherbia fatimae is a shrub native to Chuquibamba, Peru. It phenotypically differs greatly from other Peruvian members of Malesherbia in terms of leaves and branch formation and density. It flowers all year long and has dense racemes red flowers.
Malesherbia humilis is an annual herb that grows in the subtropics of northern and central Chile to Argentina.
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 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 subshrub native to the Lurín river basin of the Andean region of Peru. It is found at altitudes of 2100-3000m. It can grow up to 1 meter tall and has yellow/green flowers. It has low genetic diversity, potentially due to its small species range. It is currently classified as endangered due to low genetic diversity and diminishing species boundary due to the expansion of goat farming.
Malesherbia tocopillana is a subshrub native to Tocopilla, Antofagasta Chile. It is found in costal deserts at altitudes of 150 - 400 m. It reaches heights of 50 cm, has 25 - 65mm long leaves and simple racemes pink flowers. It is considered a very rare plant, with only 9 live individuals documented, as such, it is classified as endangered.
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.