Malesherbia auristipulata

Malesherbia auristipulata is a perennial woody shrub in the genus Malesherbia (Passifloraceae).[2] Locally it is called Ají de Zorra.[3] M. auristipulata is commonly found in Northern Chili[4] and rarely in Tacna, Peru.[5] In general, the species range is very restricted as a result M. auristipulata is considered a rare plant.[3][1] It is likely that there are less than 100 individuals left, classifying the species as critically endangered by the local government.[1]

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

Malesherbia auristipulata synonymous with Malesherbia turbinea J.F. Macbr; though M. auristipulata is the accepted name.[6]

Morphology

Malesherbia auristipulata can grow up to 80 cm tall, it is described as a "woody" plant.[1] Leaves are oblong, older leaves are 35-45 mm long by 8-12 mm wide, while younger leaves are 17-25 mm long by 3-6 mm wide.[1]

The flowers of M. auristipulata are described as having tubes that are wider at the throat than the middle, a narrow corona, and blood red petals.[4][7] They are raceme and range from 4 - 35 cm length.[1] It has a dark stem, nearly black in color.[5]

Medicinal use

The aerial tissues of M. auristipulata secretes a resin like exudate that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, with higher efficiency when treating infections of gram positive bacteria than gram negative in vitro.[8] Its medicinal use may inspire the propagation, and ultimately salvation, of the species.[9]

References
  1. "Malesherbia auristipulata Ricardi" (PDF). clasificacionespecies.mma.gob.cl.
  2. "Malesherbia auristipulata" at the Encyclopedia of Life
  3. Ruz, Fernando (2011). Red List of Chilean Terrestrial Flora. Chilean Forest Service (CONAF).
  4. Gengler-Nowak, Karla M. (2003). "Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Malesherbiaceae". Systematic Botany. 28 (2): 333–344. ISSN 0363-6445. JSTOR 3094002.
  5. 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. doi:10.15381/rpb.v25i3.13408. ISSN 1727-9933.
  6. "Malesherbia auristipulata Ricardi — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  7. Bull-Hereñu, Kester; Ronse De Craene, Louis P. (2020). "Ontogenetic Base for the Shape Variation of Flowers in Malesherbia Ruiz & Pav. (Passifloraceae)". Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 8. doi:10.3389/fevo.2020.00202. ISSN 2296-701X.
  8. Erazo, Silvia; Negrete Córdova, Rosa; Zaldívar San Román, María Mercedes; Backhouse Erazo, Nadine; Belmonte, E.; Rojas, Oriana; San Martín, Aníbal; Masson Salaué, Lilia; García, R.; Delporte Vergara, Carla (2006). "Active metabolites and biological activities from Malesherbia auristipulata". ISSN 1827-8620. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Riedemann, P; Aldunate, G; Teillier, S (2006). "Flora nativa de valor ornamental: identificación y propagación, Chile Zona Norte". Productora Gráfica Andros Limitada, Chile: 404.


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