Medinilla speciosa

Medinilla speciosa, also known as Showy Asian Grapes, is an evergreen perennial from the Melastomataceae family of plants. This plant is named after Don Jose de Medinilla y Pifieda, the Spanish Governor of the Marianas from 1812-1822. Medinilla speciosa is native to Borneo and Java and the Philippines. It usually grows in the mountain forests it prefers moist soil and shelter. They sometimes grow like orchids on holes in trees and vegetation. The large leaves help hold moisture.

Medinilla speciosa grows to about 1m or 4ft. It has small brightly pink colored that appear on red pinnacles followed by berries. It flowers from early summer through autumn. The berries first pinkish in color and then change into bluish-purple. It makes a wonderful house plant or in a greenhouse unless you live somewhere warm or tropical.

This plant is used in traditional medicine by consuming fresh or boiling the fruit.