Showy Medinilla

Description:

Medinilla magnifica Lindl. 1850 (family Melastomataceae), is a native to the Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros and Panay). It is an epiphytic tropical evergreen shrub that grows to 8’ tall in its native habitat where it may be seen growing in part shade locations out of soil pockets on rain forest trees or in the ground in clearings. Called Kapa-kapa in Tagalog, it is also commonly known as the Philippine Orchid. Various species and hybrids in this family are well known and popular with plant collectors with Medinilla speciosa or the Showy Asian Grape plant being found almost identical. As a tropical plant, it needs high humidity and a warm climate. This tropical shrub bears drooping clusters of rosy pink flowers, giving it a common name of Rose Grape or Pink Lantern. Its bloom colors range from pink to coral red. Common names: kapa-kapa (Philippines); chandelier bush, chandelier tree, jungle chandelier, Malaysian orchid, pink lantern, rose grape, showy medinilla (English); médinilla magnifique (French); medinila, uva-rosa (Portuguese); medinila (Spanish); Medinille (German).

Habitat:

Makiling Botanic Gardens, a 300-hectare forest park of the Mt. Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, UPLB-College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Laguna.

Notes:

Refer to notes in http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/193... Reference: http://www.photomazza.com/?Medinilla-mag...