Medinilla

Medinilla
Medinilla cumingii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Melastomataceae
Genus: Medinilla
Gaudich. ex DC.[1]
Species

About 370, see list of species

Synonyms[1]
  • Carionia Naudin
  • Cephalomedinilla Merr.
  • Dactyliota Blume
  • Diplogenea Lindl.
  • Erpetina Naudin
  • Hypenanthe Blume
  • Myrianthemum Gilg
  • Triplectrum D.Don ex Wight & Arn.

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.[1][2]

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.[3]Certain Medinilla species have high economic value as they are used in medicinal and ornamental applications. [4][5]

Selected species

For a complete list of species, see List of Medinilla species

The following species have articles on Wikipedia:

References

  1. ^ a b c "Medinilla Gaudich. ex DC". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Notes on the Medinilla (Melastomataceae) of Palawan, Philippines, Including Two New Species: M. simplicymosa and M. ultramaficola". BioOne. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Medinilla | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2026-04-01.
  4. ^ "The effect of shade and drought on the growth and proline content of Medinilla speciosa and Medinilla verrucosa plants". IOPScience. 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "The immunomodulatory activity of parijoto fruit (Medinilla speciosa) fraction against phagocytosis macrophages and lymphocyte proliferation". Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research. 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  • 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)