Kingdom Plantae Family Melastomataceae Rank Species | Order Myrtales Genus Medinilla | |
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Similar Medinilla, Medinilla magnifica, Medinilla cummingii, Medinilla myriantha, Medinilla beamanii | ||
Medinilla speciosa, common name Showy Asian Grapes, is a perennial epiphytic plant in the genus Medinilla, belomging to the Melastomataceae family.
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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.