Medicinal Plants

Pleroma heteromallum (D.Don) D.Don

Tibouchina

Melastomataceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Pleroma heteromallum (Tibouchina) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Pleroma heteromallum (Tibouchina) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Pleroma heteromallum (Tibouchina)

Summary

Pleroma heteromallum or tibouchina is a plant endemic to Brazil, found in small populations scattered across the rocky region of Minas Gerais state. Its purple flowers, which bloom year-round, make it a favored garden ornamental, while in the Sanggau region of Kalimantan, its bioactive compound-containing leaves are used as a traditional medicine ingredient for wounds.

Agroecology

Pleroma heteromallum or tibouchina prefers full sun and fertile loamy soil, moist during the growing season but tolerates regular irrigation. In hotter areas, some afternoon shade is beneficial. Can grow at elevations of 700-1,700 m asl.

Morphology

  • Stem woody, square-shaped.
  • Leaves silvery-green velvety, 10-15 cm long, with 5 prominent veins, and old leaves turn a beautiful orange color just before falling. Leaves ovate shaped with a pointed tip and heart-shaped base.
  • Flowers in a cluster, long-stalked, with 2 bracts, corolla with 5 petals, violet, 4 cm wide, stamen filaments glandular-pilose; stamen connective with glandular indumentum.

Cultivation

Propagation can be done with soft stem cuttings.

Chemical Content

Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins.

Benefits

Treats wounds.

Local Names

Kuncur rambut (Sanggau).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Wounds from Tibouchina

1. Wounds

  • Prepare an adequate amount of tibouchina leaves and wash until clean.
  • Grind the leaves until it becomes a paste.
  • Apply the paste to the wound.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens. 2017. Pleroma heteromallum (D.Don) D.Don. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:574812-1#synonymsb. 14-03-2021.
  2. San Marcos Growers. Tibouchina heteromalla - Silver leafed Princess Flower. https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2046. 20-07-2022.
  3. The World Flora Online. 2022. Pleroma heteromallum D.Don. http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0001258172. 20-07-2022.
  4. Flora Fauna Web. 2022. Tibouchina heteromalla (D. Don) Cogn.https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/6/6/6636. 20-07-2022.
  5. Dipta Haryono, Evy Wardenaar dan Fathul Yusro. 2014. Kajian Etnobotani Tumbuhan Obat di Desa Mangkiang Kecamatan sanggau Kapuas Kabupaten Sanggau. Fakultas Kehutanan, Universitas Tanjungpura. Jurnal Hutan Lestari, 2(3).