| Chaetogastra grossa | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae | 
| Clade: | Tracheophytes | 
| Clade: | Angiosperms | 
| Clade: | Eudicots | 
| Clade: | Rosids | 
| Order: | Myrtales | 
| Family: | Melastomataceae | 
| Genus: | Chaetogastra | 
| Species: | C. grossa  | 
| Binomial name | |
| Chaetogastra grossa (L.f.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.[1]  | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Chaetogastra grossa, synonym Tibouchina grossa, is a species in the Melastomataceae family that is native to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.[1] It is found between 2400 and 3800 meters in elevation.[2] Also called "red princess flower" or "carmine princess flower" to differentiate it from "princess flower" which has purple blooms.[3][4]
Description
The plant is a small tree or shrub growing between 6 ft - 16 ft tall. The leaves are dark green and fuzzy with pronounced parallel veining. It blooms year-round and the bright to dark red flowers are about 3 in. It prefers cooler climates, but is not frost tolerant, and full to partial-sun. It is uncommon in cultivation.[3]
The petiole is 5 to 10 mm in length; Leaf blade, thick, elliptical or ovate-elliptical, 5 to 6 cm long by 1 to 3 cm wide; acute at apex, obtuse or rounded at base. Inflorescences paucifloras terminal in branches and twigs. Brown fruit, in capsule, with several tiny seeds.
References
- 1 2 3 "Chaetogastra grossa (L.f.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
 - ↑ Tropicos entry for Tibouchina grossa
 - 1 2 Strange Wonderful Things - Red Princess Flower
 - ↑ Tibouchina grossa seed listing
 
External links
 Media related to Chaetogastra grossa at Wikimedia Commons
 Data related to Tibouchina grossa at Wikispecies
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