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Merwilla plumbea

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Merwilla plumbea
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 threatened bulb-forming perennial herb in the small genus Merwilla endemic to the Drakensberg.[1][2]

Distribution

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

Habitat

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

Ecology

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

Conservation status

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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

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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

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