Medinilla sedifolia

Description

Medinilla sedifolia is a perennial plant of the family Melastomataceae that grows primarily in Madagascar, but is occasionally used as a terrarium plant, an epiphyte mounting, or in hanging pots. It is small for the genus, growing only 75–150 mm (3–6 in) tall. The waxy evergreen leaves grow on a trailing stem. It flowers twice per year, the five petaled flowers are magenta, waxy to the touch, and about 15 mm (1⁄2 in) wide when fully grown. Medinilla is a genus of about 400 species of flowering plants in the family Melastomataceae, native to tropical regions of the Old World from Africa (two species) east through Madagascar (about 70 species) and southern Asia to the western Pacific Ocean islands. The genus was named after J. de Medinilla, governor of the Mariana Islands in 1820. They are evergreen shrubs or lianas. The leaves are opposite or whorled, or alternate in some species. The flowers are white, pink, red, or orange, and are produced singly or in large panicles.