Melastomataceae - Botanical Family

Botanical name: Acisanthera sp.

Common name: Acisanthera

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Central America

Botanical name: Arthrostemma ciliatum

Common names: Pinkfringe, Arthrostemma

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: South America

Botanical names: Bellucia pentamera, Bellucia costaricensis, Bellucia axinanthera

Common name: Coronillo

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Central America

A small or medium-sized forest tree.

Botanical name: Bertolonia marmorata

Common name: Jewel Plant

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: South America

Bertolonia marmorata are excellent plants for terrariums or plant windows.

Botanical name: Bertolonia ovata

Common name: Bertolonia

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Brazil

Botanical name: Blakea sp.

Common name: Blakea

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Central America

Botanical name: Brachyotum ledifolium

Common name: Pucachaglla

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Ecuador

Small shrub with waxy red and yellow pendulous flowers.

Botanical name: Brachyotum quinquenerve

Common name: Brachyotum

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Central America

Botanical names: Calvoa orientalis, Calvoa sessiliflora

Common name: Calvoa

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Central Africa

Botanical name: Centradenia sp.

Common name: Spanish Shawl

Family: Melastomataceae

Origin: Guatemala

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Centradenia sp., a small shrub native to Guatemala, is a delightful choice for any garden. Featuring heavily fragrant purple, blue and lavender flowers, it provides a continuous show of color in the garden. This shrub grows 2-5 feet tall in full sun or partial shade and requires regular water and moderate humidity.

Centradenia sp. is an ideal choice if you're lucky enough to live in an area that falls within USDA zone 9-11. Elsewhere, it can be grown outdoors in the summer in a container, placed in a sunny area and brought indoors in the fall. In very cold climates, to help ensure that it comes up year after year, it should be dug up, taken inside and overwintered in a cool, but frost-free location.

This evergreen shrub is an excellent choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds and is sure to bring smiles to gardeners. Said to be deer and pest resistant, Centradenia sp. provides an easy care, vibrant garden display all season long.