Andesanthus lepidotus

Last updated

Andesanthus lepidotus
Sietecueros (Tibouchina lepidota) - Flickr - Alejandro Bayer.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Melastomataceae
Genus: Andesanthus
Species:
A. lepidotus
Binomial name
Andesanthus lepidotus
(Humb. & Bonpl.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang. [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Chaetogastra lepidota(Humb. & Bonpl.) DC.
  • Pleroma lepidotum(Humb. & Bonpl.) Triana
  • Rhexia lepidotaBonpl.
  • Tibouchina lepidota(Humb. & Bonpl.) Baill.

Andesanthus lepidotus, synonym Tibouchina lepidota, [1] also known as alstonville, Andean princess flower, lasiandra, or glory bush, is a medium-sized ornamental tree or a large shrub native to northwestern South America that is cultivated for its masses of purple flowers from autumn right through to winter. [2]

Contents

Description

Flower close-up. Tibouchina lepidota (2).jpg
Flower close-up.

The plant is usually between 5 metres (16 ft) to 12 metres (39 ft) tall, but can be as tall as 20 metres (66 ft), creating a vase shape with a spread rounded crown and thick, ligneous, branching stems. The trunk measures up to 80 centimetres (31 in) in diameter at its base, with reddish. flaking bark.[ citation needed ]

The evergreen leaves are dark green in colour, with lighter undersides and prominent longitudinal veins. They are coarsely hairy, simple, opposite, with a serrated edge, rounded base and a blunt tip. They measure 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long and 4 centimetres (1.6 in) wide. As the leaves age, they turn crimson and are covered by small scales that are brown in colour. [3]

Inflorescence

The flowers range from violet or mauve to magenta, 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in diameter. The stamens are yellow in color. Flowers are clustered in inflorescences composed of panicles, and have brown, scaly axils. Flowering occurs from late summer to late autumn in the southern hemisphere. [4]

The plant fruits most of the year, primarily between March and December. Ripe seed capsules are light brown in colour, flaky to the touch, cup-shaped, measuring 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in diameter. They release numerous small seeds through holes located at the apex, brown in colour, small in size, with a snail-like shape and a hard seed coat. [5]

Distribution

Andesanthus lepidotus is native to the Andes mountains in Venezuela (Merida and Táchira), Ecuador (Azuay, Carchi, Chimborazo, Imbabura, Loja, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pichincha, Tungurahua, and Zamora-Chinchipe), and central Peru (Amazonas, Huanuco, San Martin), in the montane humid and cloud forests, between 800 metres (2,600 ft) and 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) above sea level. In Colombia it is distributed in the Andean region, being found wild in the temperate and cool thermal floors. [6] It is also found in Panama. [1]

Cultivation

Andesanthus lepidotus is used as an ornamental plant for its violet coloured flowers. Thriving in full sun to part shade, it is planted in parks, public squares, and gardens. Its wood is used in the manufacture of fencing posts, tool handles, furniture and firewood. It is to be pruned after flowering to encourage dense, bushy growth. It may not withstand severe frost or drought, but may still survive in cooler areas provided that it is sheltered and if it is watered regularly if in dry conditions. It is propagated by means of seeds. [7]

Cultivars

Andesanthus lepidotus 'Alstonville' is a common cultivar in Australia, which was developed by Ken Dunstan a resident of Alstonville, New South Wales, hence the common name of this plant. There are smaller growing cultivars that are grown in pots or containers in the country, such as 'Jules', which is 60 centimetres high and wide, 'Jazzie', which is a metre in height and features large purple flowers, and 'Groovy Baby’ which is only 45 centimetres high and wide. All these dwarf varieties can be grown in containers, garden beds or as a low hedge. Some may only flower in the warmer months. [8]

In Australia, both this species and Pleroma heteromallum (syn. Tibouchina grandiflora) (including its cultivars) are commonly known as lasiandra. They are in the same family (Melastomataceae) as a native shrub Melastoma affine , which is known as native lasiandra.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> Species of plant

Lythrum salicaria or purple loosestrife is a flowering plant belonging to the family Lythraceae. It should not be confused with other plants sharing the name loosestrife that are members of the family Primulaceae. Other names include spiked loosestrife and purple Lythrum. This herbaceous perennial is native to Europe and Asia, and possibly Australia.

<i>Tibouchina</i> Genus of flowering plants

Tibouchina is a neotropical flowering plant genus in the family Melastomataceae. Species of this genus are subshrubs, shrubs or small 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 systematic study in 2013 showed that as then circumscribed the genus was paraphyletic, and in 2019 the genus was split into a more narrowly circumscribed Tibouchina, two re-established genera Pleroma and Chaetogastra, and a new genus, Andesanthus.

<i>Wisteria sinensis</i> Variety of legume

Wisteria sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese wisteria, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, native to China, in the provinces of Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Yunnan. Growing 20–30 m (66–98 ft) tall, it is a deciduous vine. It is widely cultivated in temperate regions for its twisting stems and masses of scented flowers in hanging racemes, in spring.

<i>Salvia splendens</i> Species of flowering plant

Salvia splendens, the scarlet sage, is a tender herbaceous perennial plant native to Brazil, growing at 2,000 to 3,000 m elevation where it is warm year-round and with high humidity. The wild form, rarely seen in cultivation, reaches 1.3 m (4.3 ft) tall. Smaller cultivars are very popular as bedding plants, seen in shopping malls and public gardens all over the world.

<i>Passiflora ligularis</i> Species of plant

Passiflora ligularis, commonly known as the sweet granadilla or grenadia, is a plant species in the genus Passiflora. It is known as granadilla in Bolivia, Colombia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, The Azores, South Africa and Peru; granadilla común in Guatemala; granadilla de China or parcha dulce in Venezuela and granaditta in Jamaica.

<i>Pleroma semidecandrum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae

Pleroma semidecandrum, synonym Tibouchina semidecandra, the princess flower, glory bush, or lasiandra, is a flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to southeast Brazil.

<i>Geranium maculatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Geraniaceae

Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium, is a perennial plant native to woodland in eastern North America, from southern Manitoba and southwestern Quebec south to Alabama and Georgia and west to Oklahoma and South Dakota.

<i>Thunbergia alata</i> Species of plant

Thunbergia alata, commonly called black-eyed Susan vine, is a herbaceous perennial climbing plant species in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to Eastern Africa, and has been naturalized in other parts of the world.

<i>Allium giganteum</i> Species of flowering plant

Allium giganteum, common name giant onion, is an Asian species of onion, native to central and southwestern Asia but cultivated in many countries as a flowering garden plant. It is the tallest species of Allium in common cultivation, growing to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft).

<i>Ceroxylon</i> Genus of palms

Ceroxylon is a genus of flowering plants in the family Arecaceae, native to the Andes in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, known as Andean wax palms.

Alstonville may refer to:

<i>Pleroma heteromallum</i> Species of flowering plant

Pleroma heteromallum, synonyms including Tibouchina grandifolia and Tibouchina heteromalla, known by the common name silverleafed princess flower in English, is a species of evergreen flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae. It is native to French Guiana, Bolivia and Brazil.

<i>Quercus humboldtii</i> Species of tree

Quercus humboldtii, commonly known as the Andean oak, Colombian oak or roble, is a species of oak found only in Colombia and Panamá. It is named for Alexander von Humboldt.

<i>Cotoneaster dammeri</i> Species of flowering plant

Cotoneaster dammeri, the bearberry cotoneaster, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cotoneaster, belonging to the family Rosaceae, native to central and southern China and naturalized in Europe.

<i>Pleroma urvilleanum</i> Species of flowering plant

Pleroma urvilleanum, synonym Tibouchina urvilleana, is a species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to Brazil.

<i>Macara alydda</i> Species of moth

Macara alydda is a moth of the family Megalopygidae. It was described by Herbert Druce in 1887. It is found in Costa Rica and Napo Province, Ecuador. The habitat consists of montane cloud forests.

<i>Chaetogastra grossa</i> Species of flowering plant

Chaetogastra grossa, synonym Tibouchina grossa, is a species in the Melastomataceae family that is native to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. It is found between 2400 and 3800 meters in elevation. Also called "red princess flower" or "carmine princess flower" to differentiate it from "princess flower" which has purple blooms.

<i>Alternanthera brasiliana</i> Species of plant

Alternanthera brasiliana, also known as large purple alternanthera, metal weed, bloodleaf, parrot leaf, ruby leaf, Brazilian joyweed, purple alternanthera, purple joyweed, is a flowering plant of the amaranth family that is native to the forests of South America and as well as Central America. Grown as an ornamental plant, it is very similar in appearance to Alternanthera dentata, which is listed as one of this species's synonyms.

<i>Pleroma granulosum</i> Brazilian evergreen tree

Pleroma granulosum, synonym Tibouchina granulosa, is a species of tree in the family Melastomataceae. It is also known as purple glory tree or princess flower. It is native to Bolivia and Brazil. 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.

<i>Andesanthus</i>

Andesanthus is a genus of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. The genus was established in 2019 for some species formerly placed in Tibouchina. Some species are cultivated as ornamental shrubs or trees.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Andesanthus lepidotus (Humb. & Bonpl.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  2. Tibouchina Fact Sheet by ABC Australia. Retrieved 2 April, 2020
  3. Mahecha G., Ovalle A., Camelo D., Rozo A., Barrero D. (2004) Vegetation of the CAR territory. 450 species of its plains and mountains Bogotá, Colombia 871pp
  4. Tibouchina lepidota 'Alstonville' Tibouchina Alstonville, Glory Bush by Alpine Nurseries. Retrieved 2 April, 2020
  5. TIBOUCHINA LEPIDOTA ALSTONVILLE
  6. Todzia, C. A., & Almeda Jr, F. 1991. A revision of Tibouchina section Lepidotae (Melastomataceae: Tibouchineae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences., 47(6): 175-206
  7. Rodríguez-RJO, Peña-SJR, Plata-RE (1984) Flora de los Andes. One hundred species from the Cundi-Boyacense Altiplano, Bogotá, Colombia 247pp
  8. Tibouchina by FlowerPower. Retrieved 2 April, 2020