About Malesherbia linearifolia (Cav.) Poir.
Malesherbia linearifolia, commonly known by the vernacular name blue star of cordillera, is a subshrub that is endemic to the Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Metropolitana, and O'Higgins regions of Chile. It was the first member of the genus Malesherbia to be described, with its original description published in 1797 by Cavanilles. Malesherbia linearifolia is phenotypically very similar to its sister species M. paniculata. Both species grow from a rhizome, produce cymose inflorescences, and have flowers that range in color from light blue to deep purple. The two species differ in their leaf structure: M. paniculata has pinnate leaves, while M. linearifolia has narrow leaves. They also differ in their geographic ranges. Malesherbia linearifolia is pollinated by Lasia aenea, Centris chilensis, and Centris cineraria.
