Merwilla plumbea
| Merwilla plumbea | |
|---|---|
| File:Merwilla plumbea00.jpg | |
| File:Merwilla plumbea subsp. plumbea 1DS-II 9334.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Merwilla |
| Species: | M. plumbea
|
| Binomial name | |
| Merwilla plumbea | |
Merwilla plumbea, also known as the blue squill, is a perennial, bulb-forming herb in the small genus Merwilla of the family Asparagaceae. It is endemic to the Drakensberg.[1][2]
Distribution
[edit | edit source]Merwilla plumbea is found in the eastern part of South Africa, in Eswatini and Lesotho.[2]
Habitat
[edit | edit source]Merwilla plumbea is found on rocky, well-drained slopes at altitudes between 300-2500 metres.[2]
Ecology
[edit | edit source]Mature individuals are thought to live, on average, for 25 years.[2]
Conservation status
[edit | edit source]Merwilla 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
[edit | edit source].jpg){kind=link}
Two subspecies are recognised:[3]
- Merwilla plumbea subsp. kraussii (Baker) J.C.Manning, syn. Scilla kraussii
- Merwilla plumbea subsp. plumbea, syn. Scilla natalensis
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).