blue-hyacinth

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blue-hyacinth
• blue-squill
• Blue Squill

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Scilla plumbea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, it falls into the family Asparagaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Merwilla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several regions of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Malawi. Moving into the southern portion of the continent, it can be found throughout the Cape Provinces. The species also inhabits the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State in Southern Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Merwilla plumbea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, its regenerative organs are situated below the soil surface, a strategy that facilitates survival during unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, its classification as a geophyte indicates that it relies on specialized underground structures to endure periods of dormancy and to re-emerge when conditions become favorable for growth.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Merwilla plumbea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that maintains a self-supporting structure. This species exhibits a versatile ecological habit, ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial environments, though it primarily functions as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant is relatively small, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 meters to a maximum of 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Merwilla plumbea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Merwilla plumbea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CADMIUM, Vanillic acid.

CADMIUM

1. Annals of botany

Vanillic acid

1. Journal of plant physiology

Activities

Merwilla plumbea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Embryotoxic.

Embryotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Merwilla plumbea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Merwilla plumbea has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Bulb and leaf extracts, PE and DCM extracts.

Bulb and leaf extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pe and dcm extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology