Malesherbia angustisecta explained

Malesherbia angustisecta is an endangered member of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae).^[1] It is colloquially called clavelina.^[2]

Description

Morphology

M. angustisecta is a pale green woody shrub can grow up to 0.5 meters tall.^[3] Its branches are covered in soft silver hairs. Visually, it is very similar to M. tenuifolia, but can be identified by its broader calyx and higher crown.^[4]

Flower morphology

The sepals of M. angustisecta are "sparsely hairy" and nearly as long as the petals. Its petals are white or pink, ovate, and 7-8mm long.

Taxonomy

The first published description of the species dates to 1922^[5] and Hermann Harms is accredited with its discovery.^[6] The specimen from which this species was described, was collected in the Camanä Province above Caraveli. It was collected in 1915 at altitudes of 2350 m above sea levels in an area described as sparse of vegetation surrounded by other shrubs and cacti.

Distribution

M. angustisecta is native to arid and semiarid deserts of Peru.^[7] It has been identified in the Arequipa and Caravelí Provinces, Province Mariscal Nieto, and Tarata and Candarave provinces. It can be found at altitudes of 1800-3035m.

Conservation status

Malesherbia angustisecta is currently considered endangered due to its restricted distribution.^{[8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Norma, León, Blanca Salinas . Alstroemeriaceae endémicas del Perú . Es . 2006 . Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos: Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas "Antonio Raimondi" . 1329296013.
2. Beltrán . Hamilton . Roque . José . Cáceres . César . 2018 . Sinopsis del género Malesherbia en el Perú . Revista Peruana de Biología . 25 . 3 . 229–240 . 10.15381/rpb.v25i3.13408 . 1727-9933. free .
3. Harms . H . 1922 . Über zwei neue Arten der Gattung Malesherbia aus Peru. . Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem . 8 . BHL.
4. Book: MACBRIDE, J. FRANCIS . Publication. Field Museum of Natural History. Botanical series . Field Museum of Natural History . 1941 . 13 . BHL . FLORA OF PERU.
5. Book: von L. Diels, Herausgegeben . Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem . Botanisches Museum . 1921–1924 . 8 . bd.8 . Berlin Germany . 210 . de.
6. Web site: Tropicos Name - Malesherbia angustisecta Harms . 2022-10-05 . legacy.tropicos.org.
7. Guerrero . Pablo C. . Rosas . Marcelo . Arroyo . Mary T. K. . Wiens . John J. . 2013-07-09 . Evolutionary lag times and recent origin of the biota of an ancient desert (Atacama–Sechura) . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . en . 110 . 28 . 11469–11474 . 10.1073/pnas.1308721110 . 0027-8424 . 3710863 . 23798420 . free.
8. León . B. . 2007 . El Libro Rojo de las Plantas Endémicas del Perú. . Revista Peruana Biol. . 2 . 13 . 407–408.
9. 1989 . Red List of Chilean Terrestrial Vertebrates Edited by Alfonso A. Glade. Chilean Forest Service (CONAF) Av. Bulnes 259, OF 604. Santiago, Chile, 1988, 67 pp., no price given - The Irish Red Data Book. 1. Vascular PlantsT.G.F. Curtis and H.N. McGough. Stationery Office, Dublin (Government Publications Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Ireland), 1988, 168 pp., PB £7.00 . Oryx . 23 . 3 . 174–174 . 10.1017/s003060530002295x . 0030-6053 . free.