Fox Tongue Melastoma
Melastoma sanguineum
(mel-LAS-toh-muh)
(san-GWIN-ee-um)
This shrub was spotted in
Central Florida blooming with abandon in the middle of winter. It was new to me
and it must have been fascinating because I took about 12 exposures of it. It
was growing in the Tropical Stream Garden at Harry P. Leu Gardens
in Orlando. I was just
sitting remembering my afternoon there and how beautiful everything was. It got
down to 36 degrees (F) last night here and we have another freeze warning for
tonight. A frost warning would be a lot more welcome as it seems a little late
for heavy freezes at this point. Oh well I will just pick up the pieces
afterwards and move on.
Melastoma is considered
invasive in some areas and grows into a large, broad shrub. It likes shady (out
of the sun) and moist well drained soil. The evergreen foliage is quite nice as
well.
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