Tibouchina
Tibouchina /ˌtɪbuːˈkaɪnə/[1][2] Aubl. is a Neotropical flowering plant genus in Melastomataceae Juss. that contains approximately 240 species.[3][4][5] Species of this genus are herbs, shrubs or trees and typically have purple flowers.[6] They are native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America where they are found as far south as northern Argentina.[6][7] 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 [2]. A recent systematic study has shown that this genus is paraphyletic.[3]
Morphology
Members of Tibouchina sensu lato are diagnosed by a number of traits including pentamerous flowers with anthers having developed pedoconnectives (the connective tissue below the anther locules) and anther appendages that are ventrally bi-lobed.[3] These traits are likely plesiomorphic in the core Melastomeae.[3] The magenta or purple flowers are often showy, and the stamens may be dimorphic.[6] Members of Tibouchina have simple leaves that lack stipules with the conspicuous ladder-like venation that is characteristic of most melastomes.[6][8] As a member of Melastomeae, Tibouchina also has capsular fruit and cochleate seeds.[6]
Tibouchina
Tibouchina Aubl. is a Neotropical flowering plant genus in Melastomataceae Juss. that contains approximately 240 species. Species of this genus are herbs, shrubs or trees and typically have purple flowers.