Medinilla

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Medinilla
Medinilla cumingii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Melastomataceae
Genus: Medinilla
Gaudich. ex DC.
Species

See text

Synonyms[1]
  • Carionia Naudin
  • Cephalomedinilla Merr.
  • Dactyliota Blume
  • Diplogenea Lindl.
  • Erpetina Naudin
  • Hypenanthe Blume
  • Myrianthemum Gilg
  • Triplectrum D.Don ex Wight & Arn.

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.[1]

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.

Selected species[edit]

There are approximately 418 species in this genus, including:

Medinilla magnifica is a popular ornamental plant endemic to the Luzon, Mindoro and Panay islands

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Medinilla Gaudich". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 4 March 2021.

External links[edit]

  • Renner, S. S. (2004). Multiple Miocene Melastomataceae dispersal between Madagascar, Africa and India. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 359(1450): 1485-1494 (pdf file)