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Medinilla cumingii Naudin
| Family Name: | Melastomataceae |
| Common Name: | Chandelier Tree, Showy Melastome, Showy Medinilla, Rose Grape, Malaysian Orchid |
Name
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, 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
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. |
