| Moro | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Passifloraceae |
| Genus: | Malesherbia |
| Species: | M. splendens |
| Binomial name | |
| Malesherbia splendens | |
Malesherbia splendens is a shrub in the genus Malesherbia. [1] It is colloquially known as Moro, Fox Tail, and Veronica. [2]
Malesherbia splendes is a shrub with a woody trunk that can grow up to 1.5-2 meters high. [3] It has densely leafy 50-95 cm long branches. [3] The plant produces "numerous" immature seeds, these are fovelated with fine long ribs. [3]
Flowers are found in the axil of lesser leaves. [3] They are tubular and yellow or pale green. [2] [4] Sepals are 9-10mm long, triangular, and end with a thick glandular hair. [3] Stamen are exserted with 45-48mm long filaments and 3-.52mm long anthers. [3] Pollen grains are 67-83x40-49mic. [3] Styles are longer than stamen, approximately 50-52mm long with small obconical stigmas. [3]
It has low genetic diversity, potentially due to its small species range. [5]
Malesherbia splendes was originally described in 1965 by Ricardi. [3] The specimens from which this species was originally described were found in the Langa district, Santa Eulalia Valley, and between Asnapuqio and Buena vista. [3] It is readily distinguished from other members of Malesherbia by its flowers. [3]
Malesherbia splendes is native to the Lurín river basin of the Andean region of Peru. [2] It is found at altitudes of 2100-3000m in arid and rocky slopes of the western slopes of the central Andes. [2] [3]
Malesherbia splendes is currently classified as endangered due to low genetic diversity and diminishing species boundary due to the expansion of goat farming. [4]
