Merwilla plumbea
| Merwilla plumbea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Scilloideae |
| Genus: | Merwilla |
| Species: | M. plumbea
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| Binomial name | |
| Merwilla plumbea | |
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]
Distribution[edit]
Merwilla plumbea is found in the eastern part of South Africa, in Eswatini and Lesotho.[2]
Habitat[edit]
Merwilla plumbea is found on rocky, well-drained slopes at altitudes between 300-2500 metres.[2]
Ecology[edit]
Mature individuals are thought to live, on average, for 25 years.[2]
Conservation status[edit]
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]
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]
- ^ "Merwilla plumbea", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2020-03-20
- ^ a b c d e "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Search for Merwilla plumbea", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2020-03-20