Malesherbia auristipulata explained

Malesherbia auristipulata is a perennial woody shrub in the genus Malesherbia (Passifloraceae). Locally it is called Ají de Zorra.^[1] M. auristipulata is commonly found in Northern Chili^[2] and rarely in Tacna, Peru.^[3] In general, the species range is very restricted as a result M. auristipulata is considered a rare plant.^[4] It is likely that there are less than 100 individuals left, classifying the species as critically endangered by the local government.

Malesherbia auristipulata synonymous with Malesherbia turbinea J.F. Macbr; though M. auristipulata is the accepted name.^[5]

Morphology

Malesherbia auristipulata can grow up to 80 cm tall, it is described as a "woody" plant. Leaves are oblong, older leaves are 35-45 mm long by 8-12 mm wide, while younger leaves are 17-25 mm long by 3-6 mm wide.

The flowers of M. auristipulata are described as having tubes that are wider at the throat than the middle, a narrow corona, and blood red petals.^[6] They are raceme and range from 4 - 35 cm length. It has a dark stem, nearly black in color.

Medicinal use

The aerial tissues of M. auristipulata secretes a resin like exudate that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, with higher efficiency when treating infections of gram positive bacteria than gram negative in vitro.^[7] Its medicinal use may inspire the propagation, and ultimately salvation, of the species.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Book: Ruz, Fernando . Red List of Chilean Terrestrial Flora . Chilean Forest Service (CONAF) . 2011.
2. Gengler-Nowak . Karla M. . 2003 . Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Malesherbiaceae . Systematic Botany . 28 . 2 . 333–344 . 3094002 . 0363-6445.
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. Web site: Malesherbia auristipulata Ricardi . clasificacionespecies.mma.gob.cl.
5. Web site: Malesherbia auristipulata Ricardi — The Plant List . 2022-11-15 . www.theplantlist.org.
6. Bull-Hereñu . Kester . Ronse De Craene . Louis P. . 2020 . Ontogenetic Base for the Shape Variation of Flowers in Malesherbia Ruiz & Pav. (Passifloraceae) . Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution . 8 . 10.3389/fevo.2020.00202 . 2296-701X. free .
7. Erazo . Silvia . Negrete Córdova . Rosa . Zaldívar San Román . María Mercedes . Backhouse Erazo . Nadine . Belmonte . E. . Rojas . Oriana . San Martín . Aníbal . Masson Salaué . Lilia . García . R. . Delporte Vergara . Carla . 2006 . Active metabolites and biological activities from Malesherbia auristipulata . en . 1827-8620.
8. Riedemann . P . Aldunate . G . Teillier . S . 2006 . Flora nativa de valor ornamental: identificación y propagación, Chile Zona Norte . Productora Gráfica Andros Limitada, Chile . 404.