| Tibouchina urvilleana (DC.) Cogn. | ||||
| glorybush, lasiandra,
princess flower Melastomataceae |
|
|||
| Tibouchina urvilleana (DC.) Cogn. | ||||
| glorybush, lasiandra,
princess flower Melastomataceae |
|
|||
This semi-deciduous shrub reaches heights of 4 m. It forms thickets in wet habitats. The seeds are mechanically dispersed from a capsule with sufficient force to enable this species to form expanding thickets in suitable habitats. Adaptation to fire is unknown. Gardner and Davis (1982) suggested that it had been partially controlled by Selca brunella Hampson, but no control has been effected at the principal infestations. Apart from that, the potential for biological control has not been exploited.
Tibouchina is confined to wet habitats between 200-1,700 m on Kaua'i, O'ahu, and Hawai'i. There is a major infestation in Volcano, Hawai'i.
