Merwilla plumbea, also known as the blue squill, is a threatened bulb-forming perennial herb in the small genus Merwilla endemic to the Drakensberg.[1][2]
Merwilla plumbea | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
Genus: | Merwilla |
Species: | M. plumbea
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Binomial name | |
Merwilla plumbea |
Distribution
editMerwilla plumbea is found in the eastern part of South Africa, in Eswatini and Lesotho.[2]
Habitat
editMerwilla plumbea is found on rocky, well-drained slopes at altitudes between 300-2500 metres.[2]
Ecology
editMature individuals are thought to live, on average, for 25 years.[2]
Conservation status
editMerwilla plumbea has been assessed as near threatened due to a 25% decline in the local population from intensive poaching of the bulbs in the wild. In 2006, 1 851 580 bulbs in the Warwick Muti Market and 235 872 bulbs were sold in the Faraday Muti Market.[2]
Taxonomy
editTwo subspecies are recognised:[3]
- Merwilla plumbea subsp. kraussii (Baker) J.C.Manning, syn. Scilla kraussii
- Merwilla plumbea subsp. plumbea, syn. Scilla natalensis
References
edit- ^ "Merwilla plumbea", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2020-03-20
- ^ a b c d e "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Search for Merwilla plumbea", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2020-03-20