Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn., Melastomataceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 8 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Melastoma granulosum Desr.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: Brazilian glorytree, glorybush tree

Habit:  shrub/tree

Description:  "This sprawling, evergreen shrub or small ornamental tree ranges from 10 to 15 feet (20 feet with proper training) in height. Older trees become much wider. It is the easiest tibouchina to train into a tree. The dark green, velvety, 4- to 6-inch-long leaves have several prominent longitudinal veins. Large, royal purple blossoms, flaring open to 2 inches, are held on terminal panicles above the foliage, creating a spectacular sight when in full bloom. Some flowers are open throughout the year but they are especially plentiful from May to January.  Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite; Leaf type: simple; Leaf margin: serrulate; Leaf shape: ovate; Leaf venation: parallel; Leaf type and persistence: evergreen; Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches.  Fruit shape: round; Fruit length: less than .5 inch; Fruit cover: dry or hard; Fruit color: brown; Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy"  (University of Florida Extension fact sheet).

"A shrub up to 10 feet tall with 4-winged branchlets; leathery, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate leaves; uniformly purple flowers; woolly filaments; and floral bracts and calyx lobes that have broad, glabrous marginal bands"  (Staples & Herbst, 2005; p. 397).

Habitat/ecology:  "Light requirement: plant grows in full sun; Soil tolerances: clay; acidic; well-drained; sand; loam"  (University of Florida Extension fact sheet).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Brazil; also cultivated (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2013)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawaiian Islands	introduced cultivated	Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. (2005) (p. 397)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (2002) (voucher ID: BISH 697586) Taxon name on voucher: Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Lau, Alex/Frohlich, Danielle (2012) (pp. 18-19) Vouchers cited: OED 2008090201 (BISH), OED 2008110501 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1958) (voucher ID: BISH 58148) Taxon name on voucher: Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 56826) Taxon name on voucher: Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn.

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced cultivated	Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. (2005) (p. 397)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Tibouchina granulosa, please let us know.