thumb|Medinilla magnifica is a popular ornamental plant endemic to the Luzon, Mindoro and Panay islands
Medinilla is a large paleotropical genus of about 370 species of flowering plants in the family Melastomataceae, native to tropical regions of the Old World from Africa east through southeast Asia to Australia and the western Pacific Ocean. The genus was named after José de Medinilla y Pineda, governor of the Mariana Islands in 1820.
Species in this genus are evergreen shrubs or vines. 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.Certain Medinilla species have high economic value as they are used in medicinal and ornamental applications.
Selected species
For a complete list of species, see List of Medinilla species
The following species have articles on Wikipedia:
- Medinilla balls-headleyi – Queensland
- Medinilla beamanii – Borneo
- Medinilla cumingii – Philippines
- Medinilla magnifica – Philippines
- Medinilla multiflora – Philippines
- Medinilla sedifolia – Madagascar
- Medinilla speciosa – Philippines
- Medinilla theresae – Philippines
- Medinilla waterhousei – Fiji
References
External links
- 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)