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Medinilla cumingii

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Medinilla cumingii Naudin

Family Name: Melastomataceae
Common Name: Chandelier Tree, Showy Melastome, Showy Medinilla, Rose Grape, Malaysian Orchid

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Epiphyte, Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby
Maximum Height 1.2 m to 1.8 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 1.2 m to 1.8 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Philippines
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Herbaceous shrub, semi-epiphytic and growing on trees in native habitat. But usually cultivated on ground or in containers, up to 1.8m height if planted into ground.
Foliage Leaves large, leathery, somewhat glossy, with 5 prominently-sunken veins, slightly whorled around stems.
Flowers Small, 4 whitish-pink petals with purplish stamens, produced in pendant panicle clusters; flower buds whitish.
Fruit Fleshy globose berries, ripen from light pink to magenta to red or purplish-red over several weeks.
Cultivation Prefers bright shade and moist soils. Propagate by cuttings of older stems. Also easily propagated by seeds -- allow fruits to get very ripe on plant, before harvesting them for seeds.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Medinilla' honours José de Medinilla of Pineda, mid-19th century governor of Marianna Islands in northwestern Pacific Ocean. Species epithet 'cumingii' is named after British botanist and conchologist, Hugh Cuming (1791-1865) -- known as the "Prince of Collectors" for his immense plant (and mollusc shell) collections from the Pacific Islands, Philppines and South America.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, General
Thematic Landscaping Naturalistic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting
Propagation Method Remarks Use semi-hardwood cuttings. Harvest seeds from over-ripe fruit.

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Leathery, Raised / Sunken Veins, Thick
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Red
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Whorled
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oval)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Cuspidate
Foliar Base Cuneate
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Pink, Purple, White
Flower Symmetry Radial
Inflorescence Type Panicle
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flower Lifespan on Plant Several Weeks
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Purple, Red
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 923
Species ID 2217
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 21 March 2022.
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