Tibouchina heteromalla Cogn.
Shrub with broadly ovate leaves and purplish-violet flowers, to 3cm across. To 1.5m. [RHSD].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘This very beautiful species of Melastoma is a native of Brazil. Flowered first in this country as we are informed at Sion House.’ [BM t.2337/1822 as Melastoma heteromalla]. Introduced to Britain in 1819. [JD].
History at Camden Park
Certainly grown at Camden as it appeared in a handwritten note in an 1850 catalogue held in the Mitchell Library [MP A2947A]. Plants of Pleroma heteromallum were part of a consignment sent by John Bidwill from Kew in November 1843. [AJCP]. These were probably either dead on arrival or subsequently lost and it may have later been obtained from the London Horticultural Society as it was included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley dated 15th February 1848 but not marked ‘arrived’ on Macarthur’s copy. [MP A2933-1, p.157].
Notes
Published Mar 20, 2009 - 05:06 PM | Last updated Mar 24, 2010 - 02:02 PM
Tibouchina heteromalla Cogn. | BM t.2337/1822 | BHL
| Family | Melastomataceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Brazil |
| Synonyms |
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| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Pleroma heteromallum |
| Confidence level | high |