Merwilla plumbea

Merwilla plumbea, also known as the blue squill, is a threatened bulb-forming perennial herb in the small genus Merwilla endemic to the Drakensberg.

Distribution
Merwilla plumbea is found in the eastern part of South Africa, in Eswatini and Lesotho.

Habitat
Merwilla plumbea is found on rocky, well-drained slopes at altitudes between 300-2500 metres.

Ecology
Mature individuals are thought to live, on average, for 25 years.

Conservation status
Merwilla plumbea has been assessed as near threatened due to a 25% decline in the local population from intensive poaching of the bulbs in the wild. In 2006, 1 851 580 bulbs in the Warwick Muti Market and 235 872 bulbs were sold in the Faraday Muti Market.

Taxonomy
Two subspecies are recognised:
 * Merwilla plumbea subsp. kraussii (Baker) J.C.Manning, syn. Scilla kraussii
 * Merwilla plumbea subsp. plumbea, syn. Scilla natalensis