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 
| |
| 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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- ^ a b c d e f "Malesherbia auristipulata Ricardi" (PDF). clasificacionespecies.mma.gob.cl.
- ^ "Malesherbia auristipulata" at the Encyclopedia of Life
- ^ a b Ruz, Fernando (2011). Red List of Chilean Terrestrial Flora. Chilean Forest Service (CONAF).
- ^ a b Gengler-Nowak, Karla M. (2003). "Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Malesherbiaceae". Systematic Botany. 28 (2): 333–344. ISSN 0363-6445. JSTOR 3094002.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Malesherbia auristipulata Ricardi — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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) - ^ 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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