Malesherbia ardens explained

Malesherbia ardens, a member of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae), is a shrub with red flowers, colloquially called Lampaya.^[1]

Description

Morphology

M. ardens is a shrub that can reach heights of 0.5meters.^[2] Its stems are covered in soft gray hairs. Its leaves are small and form clusters.

Flower morphology

M. ardens has red tubular flowers.^[3]

Taxonomy

The oldest known record of M. ardens dates 1927 in the 4th volume of the Field Columbian Museums' Botanical series. James Francis Macbride is accredited with its discovery.

The specimen from which this species was described originated from a dry ravine in the hills southeast of Moquegua.

Uses

M. ardens is used traditionally to treat colds, coughs, bronchitis, and asthma.^[4] The dried plant is boiled with Contilo, Arabisca and Huamanripa and drank three times a day.

Distribution

M. ardens is native to the arid deserts^[5] of Southern Peru,^[6] though it can be found in the northern regions of the country.^[7] It has been identified in the General Sánchez Cerro, Mariscal Nieto, and Jorge Basadre provinces. It is found at altitudes of 1300 - 2800 meters.

Conservation status

As of 2007, M. ardens is classified as endangered.^[8]

Notes and References

1. 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 .
2. MACBRIDE . J. FRANCIS . 1927 . New Peruvian Malesherbias . FIELD MUSEUM or NATURAL HISTORY . 4 . 5 . BHL.
3. 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 . 10.15381/rpb.v25i3.13408 . 1727-9933 . free.
4. Bussmann . Rainer W . Glenn . Ashley . 2010 . Medicinal plants used in Peru for the treatment of respiratory disorders . Rev. Peru. Biol. . 17 . 2 . 331–346.
5. 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.
6. Web site: June 24, 2010 . Malesherbia ardens J.F.Macbr. [family MALESHERBIACEAE] ]. JSTOR.
7. Web site: Malesherbia ardens Macbride . October 10, 2022 . EoL.
8. León . B . 2007 . Malesherbiaceae endémicas del Perú . Rev. Peru. Biol. . 13 . 2 . 407–408.