Pleroma semidecandrum


Pleroma semidecandrum, commonly known as princess flower, glory bush, or lasiandra, is a flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to southeast Brazil.

Description

It is a sprawling, evergreen shrub or small ornamental tree native to Brazil and ranges from in height. The dark green, velvety, long leaves have several prominent longitudinal veins instead of the usual one, and are often edged in red.
Large, royal purple blossoms, flaring open to, are held on terminal panicles above the foliage, creating a spectacular sight when in full bloom. Some flowers are open throughout the year but they are especially plentiful from May to January.

Cultivation

They can tolerate the shade but will not thrive. Princess-Flower is ideal for the mixed shrubbery border or used in small groupings to compound the impact of bloom-time.
Nematodes can affect Tibouchina and over watering can contribute to mushroom root-rot. It can be trimmed to any size and still put on a vivid, year-long flower display.

Chemistry

Pleroma semidecandrum contains the dimeric ellagitannin nobotanin B.