Biology:Tibouchina heteromalla

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Short description: Species of flowering plant

{{Speciesbox | image = Tibouchina grandifolia .jpg | image_caption = at Universidade de Brasília, Brazil | genus = Tibouchina | species = heteromalla | authority = Cogn. | synonyms = Lasiandra macrophylla
Melastoma heteromallum
Tibouchina grandifolia | synonyms_ref = [1][2][3]

Tibouchina heteromalla, known by the common name silverleafed princess flower[4] in English is a species of evergreen flowering plant in the genus Tibouchina of the family Melastomataceae. It is native to Brazil .[5]

Description

Tibouchina heteromalla reaches an average height of 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m), with a maximum of about 8–10 feet (2.4–3.0 m) in its native habitat. The branching stem is woody and the large, silvery green leaves are simple, ovate, velvety in texture, and oppositely arranged. The inflorescence is a panicle of several purple flowers with five petals. The plant has 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long leaves, with prominent veins that are puffed up in the middle and old leaves will often turn a beautiful orange color just prior to dropping off. [6]

Cultivation

The plant is cultivated as an ornamental for its showy foliage and purple flowers. It is sensitive to cold but can tolerate a light frost.

Gallery

Notes

References

  • Porembski, S., et al. (1998). Diversity and ecology of saxicolous vegetation mats on inselbergs in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Diversity and Distributions 4(3) 107–19.
  • Renner, S. S. (1989). A survey of reproductive biology in neotropical Melastomataceae and Memecylaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Wikidata ☰ Q7800525 entry