Malesherbia arequipensis explained

Malesherbia arequipensis is a herbaceous member of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae) with white flowers. It first described in 1961 by botanist Mario H. Ricardi Salinas^[1] and is native to Arequipa and Moquegua.^[2] It is the only member of Malesherbia that grows outside of the Andes.^[3] It grows up to 15 cm tall and has white flowers.^[4]

As of 2006, the species is considered vulnerable in Arequipa, but is not under protection.

Malesherbia arequipensis has been recorded hybridizing with M. ardens, the offspring show intermediate flower sizes, but have coloration similar to M. arequipensis; the offspring are likely sterile on the basis of malformed seeds.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Ricardi, Mario . Gayana . Universidad de Concepción. Instituto de Biología. Universidad de Concepción. Instituto Central de Biología. . 1961 . No.1 . Chile, Instituto Central de Biología, Universidad de Concepción, 1961- . 5–10 . es.
2. Lion . White . Malesherbiaceae endémicas del Perú . Malesherbiaceae endemic to Peru . Revista Peruana de Biologia . es . December 2006 . 13 . 2 . 407–408.
3. Beltran . Hamilton . Weigend . Maximilian . 2014 . A new species of Malesherbia (Passifloraceae Subfam. Malesherbioideae) from Peru . Phytotaxa . 172 . 3 . 285–288.
4. Limachi . Hibert Huaylla . Tubee . Daniel B. Montesinos . Cordova . Olimpia Llalla . Saavedra . Maria F. Ydme . 2020 . Moquegua - Plants of Las Lomas in Moquegua . Field Museum . 1267 . 1–6.
5. Weigend . Maximilian . Jossberger . Thomas . Beltrán . Hamilton . 2015-03-17 . Notes on Malesherbia (Passifloraceae) in Peru: a new species from southern Peru, a new record and a first report on interspecific hybridization in Malesherbia . Phytotaxa . 202 . 4 . 250 . 10.11646/phytotaxa.202.4.2 . 1179-3163.