Malesherbia solanoides

Malesherbia solanoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Passifloraceae
Genus:	Malesherbia
Species:	M. solanoides
Binomial name
Malesherbia solanoides Meyen
Synonyms
Malesherbia breviflora ((Phil.) Harms) (Phil.) var. obtusa Malesherbia obtusa

Malesherbia solanoides is a subshrub native to the Atacama region of Chile. It was initially described in 1833 by Reise Erde.

Varieties

Variety oblongifolia

Variety oblongifolia is found in the Paipote and San Andrés Ravines at altitudes above 1000 m. It has white flowers similar to those of var. ovata, it differs from var. ovata in its oblong hairless leaves and locality. Its white flowers differentiate it from var. rugosa and var. solanoides, both of white have blue flowers. Var. oblongifolia has previously been classified as Malesherbia oblongifolia Phil., Malesherbia brevipedunculata Werderm., and Malesherbia foliosa Phil..

Variety ovata

Variety ovata is found in the deserts between Quebrada Encantada and Llano de Varas at altitudes of 1000 - 3000 m. It differs from var. solanoides and var. rugusa as it has white flowers; it differs from oblongifolia as it has yellow dense matted hairs on its vegetative tissues. Var. ovata has previously been classified as Malesherbia ovata Phil., Malesherbia johnstonii Werderm., Malesherbia prolifera Phil., and Malesherbia rugosa var. pseudopulverulenta Ricardi.

Variety solanoides

Var. solanoides is only found near the Copiapó river. It is found at altitudes of 500 - 1200 m. It grows up to 80cm tall and has light blue to violet flowers.