Medinilla speciosa

Medinilla speciosa
Medinilla speciosa
The berry-bearing raceme of Medinilla speciosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Melastomataceae
Genus: Medinilla
Species: M. Speciosa
Binomial name
Medinilla speciosa
Reinw. ex Blume, 1831
Synonyms
  • Medinilla speciosa var. genuina Hochr., Candollea
  • Medinilla speciosa f. rubriflora Hochr., Candollea
  • Medinilla speciosa var. minoriflora Hochr., Candollea

Medinilla speciosa, common name Showy Asian Grapes, is a perennial epiphytic plant in the genus Medinilla, belomging to the Melastomataceae family.

Contents

Etymology

The genus was named after J. de Medinilla, governor of the Mariana Islands in 1820.


Description

Medinilla speciosa reaches on average a height of 45–60 centimetres (18–24 in). This evergreen shrub has woody branched stems and opposite leathery green leaves (up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long and 15 centimetres (5.9 in)wide, with prominent veins. The dainty small flowers are bright pink-colored and are produced in large panicles on pendant reddish stems. The flowering period extends from early Summer to Fall. When the blooming is finished for about a month remains a raceme of showy berries, pending that the plant reflowers. These rounded fruits are at first pink and purple-blue when ripe (hence to common name of Showy Asian Grapes.


Distribution

This plant occurs naturally in Borneo, Java and Philippines. In Borneo, the plant can be found at the Kinabalu in the Malaysian part of the island.

Habitat

This species is typical of the mountain forests and prefers shaded areas and moist soils, at elevations between 300 metres (980 ft) and 750 metres (2,460 ft) above sea level.

Gallery

  • Plant of Medinilla speciosa

  • Flowers of Medinilla speciosa

  • Blossoms and leaves of Medinilla speciosa

  • Blossoms of Medinilla speciosa


References


External links

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