Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) • Earth.com

Dwarf Glory Bush

(Pleroma granulosum)

galery
en

Description

Tibouchina granulosa is a species of tree in the family Melastomataceae. It is also known as purple glory tree or princess flower. Because its purple-flowers bloom for most of the year, this tree is often used for gardening in Brazil, where is known by the name quaresmeira. Considered as one of the most ornamental species of the tropical flora for the foliage as well as for the abundant flowering, which lasts from spring to late autumn, it is widely cultivable in the tropical and subtropical climate zones. This tree can grow up to 10 metres in height and needs good drainage acidic soil in order to flowering. The use of an acid fertilizer is recommended. It will grow in full to partial sun, needs average water, and below freezing temperatures should be avoided. This tree can grows in USDA hardiness zone 10b to 11 or in any areas that do not exude too much cold. The Tibouchina granulosa tree can withstand sub-freezing temperatures for several hours, but if low temperatures extend for a longer period, they might damage the plant's leaves, stems and sprouts. When this happens, the roots usually survive and produce new upper growth the following spring. Although the plant can perform a quick recovery, it might not bloom, since it puts most of its energy into producing new stems and leaves. Tibouchina is a neotropical flowering plant genus in Melastomataceae Juss. that contains approximately 240 species. Species of this genus are herbs, shrubs or trees and typically have purple flowers. They are native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America where they are found as far south as northern Argentina. Members of this genus are known as glory bushes, glory trees or princess flowers. The name Tibouchina is adapted from a Guianan indigenous name for a member of this genus. A recent systematic study has shown that this genus is paraphyletic. All 240 species of Tibouchina s.l. are native to the Americas as far north as Mexico, with a large proportion found in Brazil. Many species of Tibouchina s.l. are found in the Mata Atlantica in eastern Brazil, while many others are found in the cerrado and campos rupestres. Members of Tibouchina sensu stricto tend to be found in lowland savannas and on the lower slopes of the Andes. All Tibouchina species are considered noxious weeds in Hawaii because of their high potential for being invasive species.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Myrtales
Family:Melastomataceae
Genus:Pleroma
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