Panthers Ear Tibouchina

Tibouchina heteromalla Cogn.

tib-ou-KEY-nah het-er-OM-eh-lah

Melastomataceae

Explanation of name: Generic name a local name. Specific epithet means differently hairy (DAV).

Synonym: The plant is better known under the name Tibouchina grandifolia. See http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?418730

Natural range: South America

Recognition: Thick-branched hairy shrub with large, opposite, arcuate-veined, subcordate-ovate leaves and terminal panicles of purple flowers. Differs from T. urvilleana by much broader leaves and terminal panicles. Does not have the winged stems characteristic of the tree species T. granulosa.

Landscape uses: Eye-catching leaves and extremely showy purple flowers. Useful in mixed plantings, as a specimen (difficult to maintain beautiful appearance year-round), and in containers.