Malesherbia splendens
| 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]
Description
[edit]Morphology
[edit]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]
Flower morphology
[edit]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]
Genetics
[edit]It has low genetic diversity, potentially due to its small species range.[5]
Taxonomy
[edit]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]
Distribution
[edit]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]
Conservation Status
[edit]Malesherbia splendes is currently classified as endangered due to low genetic diversity and diminishing species boundary due to the expansion of goat farming.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Malesherbia splendens Ricardi | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ a b c d Beltrán, Hamilton; Roque Gamarra, Jose Eduardo; Cáceres, César (2018-09-25). "Sinopsis del género Malesherbia (Passifloraceae) en el Perú". Revista Peruana de Biología. 25 (3): 229–240. doi:10.15381/rpb.v25i3.13408. ISSN 1727-9933.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ricardi, M. (1967). "REVISION TAXONOMICA DE LAS MALESHERBIACEAS". Gayana. Botánica. 16 – via BHL.
- ^ a b León, Blanca (2006). "Malesherbiaceae endémicas del Perú". The Peruvian Journal of Biology. 13 (2): 407–408. ISSN 1727-9933.
- ^ Gengler, K. M.; Crawford, D. J. (2000-10-01). "Genetic diversities of four little-known species of Malesherbia (Malesherbiaceae) endemic to the arid inter-Andean valleys of Peru". Brittonia. 52 (4): 303–310. doi:10.2307/2666581. ISSN 1938-436X.