When I visited the Planting Fields Arboretum in New York, I saw these cute Medinilla Speciosa in one of the greenhouses. From afar they look like pink grapes dangling on the plant. No wonder its common name is “Showy Asian Grapes”. When you look closely, each flower is delicate and beautiful. This plant occurs naturally in Borneo, Java and Philippines. The plant is utilized as a traditional medicine, by boiling, brewing, or consuming it directly. The fruits are consumed by pregnant women as health supplement and also used as diarrhea, mouth sores, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial treatment.
當我參觀紐約的 Planting Fields 植物園時，我在其中一個溫室裡看到了這些可愛的 Medinilla Speciosa。 從遠處看，它們就像掛在植物上的粉紅葡萄。仔細一看，每一朵花都嬌嫩美麗。它的俗名是“艷麗的亞洲葡萄”。這種植物生長在婆羅洲、爪哇和菲律賓。它藉煮沸、釀造或直接食用作成傳統藥物。果實被孕婦用作保健品。也可被用於腹瀉、口腔潰瘍、抗炎、抗癌和抗菌治療上。
Notes 筆記
- Medinilla speciosa is a perennial epiphytic plant in the genus Medinilla of the family Melastomataceae.
- This evergreen shrub has woody branched stems and opposite leathery green leaves. The dainty small flowers are bright pink-colored and are produced in large panicles on pendant reddish stems. These rounded fruits are at first pink and purple-blue when ripe (hence to common name of ”Showy Asian Grapes”). The flowering period extends from early summer to fall.
- This plant occurs naturally in Borneo, Java and Philippines.
- The plant is utilized as a traditional medicine, by boiling, brewing, or consuming it directly. The fruits are consumed by pregnant women as health supplement and also used as diarrhea, mouth sores, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial treatment.
- This species is typical of the mountain forests and prefers shaded areas and moist soils.
- 野牡丹藤是野牡丹科屬寶蓮花的多年生附生植物。(註: 又稱美麗酸腳桿)
- 這種常綠灌木有木質分枝的莖和對生的革綠葉。精緻的小花是亮粉紅色，在懸垂的紅色莖上形成大圓錐花序。這些圓形的果實在成熟時最初呈粉紅色和紫藍色（因此俗稱“艷麗的亞洲葡萄”)。花期從初夏到秋季。
- 這種植物生長在婆羅洲、爪哇和菲律賓。
- 它藉煮沸、釀造或直接食用作成傳統藥物。果實被孕婦用作保健品。也可被用於腹瀉、口腔潰瘍、抗炎、抗癌和抗菌治療上。
- 這個物種是典型的山地森林植物，喜歡陰涼的地方和潮濕的土壤。
References 參考資料
- Wikipedia: Medinilla speciosa
- JungleDragon: Showy Asian Grapes
Plants Posts 植物的帖子