Merwilla_plumbea

<i>Merwilla plumbea</i>

Merwilla plumbea

Species of flowering plant

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]

Quick Facts Merwilla plumbea, Conservation status ...

Distribution

Merwilla plumbea is found in the eastern part of South Africa, in Eswatini and Lesotho.[2]

Habitat

Merwilla plumbea is found on rocky, well-drained slopes at altitudes between 300-2500 metres.[2]

Ecology

Mature individuals are thought to live, on average, for 25 years.[2]

Conservation status

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

Two subspecies are recognised:[3]

  • Merwilla plumbea subsp. kraussii (Baker) J.C.Manning, syn. Scilla kraussii
  • Merwilla plumbea subsp. plumbea, syn. Scilla natalensis
M. plumbea subsp. plumbea flowers

References

  1. [1]
    "Merwilla plumbea", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2020-03-20
  2. [2]
    "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  3. [3]
    "Search for Merwilla plumbea", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2020-03-20


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