Malesherbia linearifolia

Malesherbia linearifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Malesherbia
Species:
M. linearifolia
Binomial name
Malesherbia linearifolia
Synonyms

Malesherbia linearifolia (vernacular name blue star of cordillera) is a subshrub native to the Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Metropolitana, and O'Higgins regions of Chile.[1][2] It was the first member of Malesherbia to be described, with the original description dating to 1797 by Cavanilles.[3]

Illustration of M. linearifolia obtained from Curtis's botanical magazine (1834)

Malesherbia linearifolia is phenotypically very similar to sister species M. paniculata; both grow from a rhizome, have cymose inflorescences, and their flowers are range from light blue to deep purple.[3] They differ in their leaves, M. paniculata has pinnate leaves while M. linearifolia has narrow leaves.[3] They also differ in range.[3]

Malesherbia linearifolia is pollinated by Lasia aenea, Centris chilensis, and Centris cineraria.[4]

  1. ^ "Malesherbia linearifolia (Cav.) Poir. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  2. ^ "Malesherbia linearifolia (Cav.) Pers. | catalogoplantas.udec.cl". catalogoplantas.udec.cl. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  3. ^ a b c d Bull-Hereñu, Kester (2020). "Notas acerca de la nueva clasificación de Malesherbia Ruiz & Pav. (Passifloraceae) para Chile". Chloris Chilensis. 32 (2): 1–33 – via Research Gate.
  4. ^ "Malesherbia linearifolia (Cav.) Poir. - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org. Retrieved 2022-12-30.