175 Species of Genus Pleroma

Pleroma: A Purple Passion

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’m captivated by the vibrant world of flora. Today, I want to share my fascination with a particular genus that has stolen my heart: Pleroma. This group of flowering plants, belonging to the Melastomataceae family, is a spectacle of color and form, boasting a range of stunning purple hues that can liven up any garden.

A Riot of Purple

Pleroma hails primarily from the tropical regions of the Americas, with its native range stretching from the Caribbean islands down to South America. Picture lush rainforests and vibrant gardens, where these shrubs thrive in the humid, sun-drenched environment. What strikes me most about Pleroma is the sheer intensity of its flowers. They bloom in clusters, showcasing a spectrum of purples, from the deepest violet to the most delicate lavender. The petals, often ruffled or fringed, add a touch of whimsy to these already eye-catching blossoms.

One of the most beloved species is Pleroma urvilleanum, also known as Tibouchina urvilleana. This particular species holds a special place in my heart. Its large, velvety flowers, a vibrant shade of royal purple, are simply mesmerizing. The contrasting yellow stamens add another layer of visual interest, making it a favorite among gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

But Pleroma is more than just a feast for the eyes. It plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers. This, in turn, contributes to the biodiversity of its habitat. In some cultures, Pleroma species even have traditional medicinal uses, highlighting the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.

A Diverse Genus

The genus Pleroma encompasses a diverse array of species, each with its unique characteristics. Here are:

1. Pleroma ackermannii (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
2. Pleroma ademarii (P.J.F.Guim., R.Romero & Leoni) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
3. Pleroma aemula (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim., A.L.F.Oliveira & R.Romero
4. Pleroma alatum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
5. Pleroma amoenum (Herzog) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
6. Pleroma andersregnellii P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
7. Pleroma angustifolium (Naudin) Triana
8. Pleroma apparicioi (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
9. Pleroma arboreum Gardner
10. Pleroma arenarium (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
11. Pleroma asperius (Cham.) Triana
12. Pleroma australe Triana
13. Pleroma axillare (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
14. Pleroma bahiense (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
15. Pleroma bandeirae P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
16. Pleroma barbellatum P.J.F.Guim., D.Nunes & I.M.Araújo
17. Pleroma barnebyanum (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
18. Pleroma benthamianum Gardner
19. Pleroma bergianum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
20. Pleroma blanchetianum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
21. Pleroma boraceiense (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Justino
22. Pleroma boudetii (P.J.F.Guim. & R.Goldenb.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
23. Pleroma bracteolatum (J.G.Freitas, A.K.A.Santos & R.P.Oliveira) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
24. Pleroma brevicomosum F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
25. Pleroma caatingae (J.G.Freitas) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
26. Pleroma caetanoi F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
27. Pleroma caissara F.S.Mey.
28. Pleroma candolleanum (DC.) Triana
29. Pleroma canescens (D.Don) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
30. Pleroma carajasense K.Rocha, R.Goldenb. & F.S.Mey.
31. Pleroma cardinale (Bonpl.) Triana
32. Pleroma carvalhoi (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
33. Pleroma castellense (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
34. Pleroma cecilianum P.J.F.Guim. & M.F.Oliveira da Silva
35. Pleroma cinereum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
36. Pleroma claussenii (Naudin) Triana
37. Pleroma clavatum (Pers.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
38. Pleroma cleistoflora (Ule) P.J.F.Guim., M.F.Oliveira da Silva & Michelang.
39. Pleroma clidemioides O.Berg ex Triana
40. Pleroma collinum (Naudin) Triana
41. Pleroma comosum (J.G.Freitas, A.K.A.Santos & R.P.Oliveira) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
42. Pleroma congestifolium D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim.
43. Pleroma cordifolium (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
44. Pleroma costatocalyx F.S.Mey., L.Kollmann & R.Goldenb.
45. Pleroma crassirame (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
46. Pleroma cristatum (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
47. Pleroma cryptadenum (Gleason) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
48. Pleroma cucullatum F.S.Mey., Fraga & R.Goldenb.
49. Pleroma curucutuense F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
50. Pleroma decemcostatum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
51. Pleroma dendroides (Naudin) Triana
52. Pleroma diffusum DC.
53. Pleroma discolor (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
54. Pleroma divaricatum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
55. Pleroma dubium (Cham.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
56. Pleroma dusenii (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
57. Pleroma echinatum Gardner
58. Pleroma edmundoi (Brade & Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
59. Pleroma eglanduliferum Justino & P.J.F.Guim.
60. Pleroma eichleri (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
61. Pleroma elegans Gardner
62. Pleroma estrellense (Raddi) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
63. Pleroma ferricola A.L.F.Oliveira, R.Romero & P.J.F.Guim.
64. Pleroma fissinervium (DC.) Gardner
65. Pleroma floribundum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
66. Pleroma fontanae F.S.Mey., L.Kollmann & R.Goldenb.
67. Pleroma formosum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
68. Pleroma fornograndense F.S.Mey., R.Goldenb. & L.Kollmann
69. Pleroma fothergillae (DC.) Triana
70. Pleroma foveolatum (Naudin) Triana
71. Pleroma fragae L.Kollmann & R.Goldenb.
72. Pleroma francavillanum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
73. Pleroma gardneri (Naudin) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
74. Pleroma gaudichaudianum (DC.) A.Gray
75. Pleroma gertii P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
76. Pleroma glandulosum (Bonpl.) Triana
77. Pleroma glutinosum (Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
78. Pleroma goldenbergii (F.S.Mey., P.J.F.Guim. & Kozera) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
79. Pleroma goyazense A.I.M.R.Machado, R.Romero & P.J.F.Guim.
80. Pleroma granulosum (Desr.) D.Don
81. Pleroma guartelaensis F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
82. Pleroma hatschbachii (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
83. Pleroma heteromallum (D.Don) D.Don
84. Pleroma hirsutissimum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
85. Pleroma hospitum (DC.) Triana
86. Pleroma imperatore (Wawra) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
87. Pleroma integerrimum (R.Romero & A.B.Martins) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
88. Pleroma itatiaiae (Wawra) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
89. Pleroma joelsilvae F.S.Mey. & Brotto
90. Pleroma kleinii (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
91. Pleroma kollmanniana F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
92. Pleroma kuhlmannii (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
93. Pleroma laevicaule (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
94. Pleroma langsdorffianum (Bonpl.) Triana
95. Pleroma leopoldinense L.Kollmann & R.Goldenb.
96. Pleroma lhotskyanum (C.Presl) Triana
97. Pleroma lilacinum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
98. Pleroma luetzelburgii (Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
99. Pleroma lutzii (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
100. Pleroma macrochiton (DC.) Triana
101. Pleroma manicatum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
102. Pleroma marinanum P.J.F.Guim. & Fraga
103. Pleroma martiale (Cham.) Triana
104. Pleroma martinellii D.Nunes & P.J.F.Guim.
105. Pleroma martiusianum (DC.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
106. Pleroma marumbiense (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
107. Pleroma maximilianum Triana
108. Pleroma melanocalyx (R.Romero, P.J.F.Guim. & Leoni) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
109. Pleroma mello-barretoi (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
110. Pleroma michelangelii P.J.F.Guim. & J.G.Freitas
111. Pleroma miconiifolium F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
112. Pleroma microphyllum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
113. Pleroma minus (R.Romero & A.B.Martins) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
114. Pleroma minutiflorum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
115. Pleroma mirabile (Brade & Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
116. Pleroma molle (Cham.) Triana
117. Pleroma mosenii (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
118. Pleroma mourae (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
119. Pleroma mutabile (Vell.) Triana
120. Pleroma noblickii (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
121. Pleroma nodosum (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
122. Pleroma obscurum Triana
123. Pleroma ochypetalum (Ruiz & Pav.) D.Don
124. Pleroma oleifolium (DC.) R.Romero & Versiane
125. Pleroma oreophilum (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
126. Pleroma pallidum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
127. Pleroma pauloalvinii (Vinha) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
128. Pleroma penduliflorum Fraga & P.J.F.Guim.
129. Pleroma pereirae (Brade & Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
130. Pleroma petiolatum (R.Romero & A.B.Martins) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
131. Pleroma petrophylax F.S.Mey. & R.Goldenb.
132. Pleroma pilosum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
133. Pleroma piranii F.S.Mey. & Almeda
134. Pleroma quartzophilum (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
135. Pleroma raddianum (DC.) Gardner
136. Pleroma radula (Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
137. Pleroma ramboi (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
138. Pleroma redivivum O.Berg ex Triana
139. Pleroma regelianum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
140. Pleroma reitzii (Brade) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
141. Pleroma riedelianum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
142. Pleroma rigidulum (Naudin) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
143. Pleroma riparium (Markgr.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
144. Pleroma robustum (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
145. Pleroma rubrobracteatum (R.Romero & P.J.F.Guim.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
146. Pleroma rubrum J.G.Freitas
147. Pleroma rupicola (Hoehne) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
148. Pleroma salviifolium (Cham.) Triana
149. Pleroma scaberrimum Triana
150. Pleroma schenckii (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
151. Pleroma schwackei (Cogn.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
152. Pleroma sellowianum (Cham.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
153. Pleroma semidecandrum (Schrank & Mart. ex DC.) Triana
154. Pleroma setosociliatum (Cogn.) F.S.Mey. & F.B.Matos
155. Pleroma stellipile (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
156. Pleroma stenocarpum (DC.) Triana
157. Pleroma stipulaceum (Vinha) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
158. Pleroma subglabrum (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
159. Pleroma subsessilis F.S.Mey. & L.Kollmann
160. Pleroma taperoense (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
161. Pleroma tedescoi (Meirelles, L.Kollmann & R.Goldenb.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
162. Pleroma thereminianum (DC.) Triana
163. Pleroma tomentulosum (Wurdack) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
164. Pleroma trichopodum DC.
165. Pleroma trinervium P.J.F.Guim.
166. Pleroma tuberosum Gardner ex Triana
167. Pleroma urceolare (DC.) Triana
168. Pleroma ursinum (Cham.) Triana
169. Pleroma urvilleanum (DC.) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
170. Pleroma velutinum (Naudin) Triana
171. Pleroma venetiense F.S.Mey., L.Kollmann & R.Goldenb.
172. Pleroma villosissimum Triana
173. Pleroma vimineum (D.Don) D.Don
174. Pleroma virgatum Gardner
175. Pleroma wurdackianum (R.Romero & A.B.Martins) P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.

Cultivating Pleroma

For those interested in cultivating Pleroma, it’s important to understand its needs. These plants thrive in warm, humid climates with well-drained soil. They prefer full sun to partial shade and require regular watering, especially during the growing season. With proper care and attention, Pleroma can reward you with an abundance of stunning blooms.

A Source of Inspiration

Beyond its botanical significance, Pleroma also serves as a source of inspiration. Its vibrant colors and delicate forms have been captured in art and literature, symbolizing beauty, passion, and the ephemeral nature of life. For me, Pleroma represents the resilience and vibrancy of the natural world, a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us if we only take the time to notice.

In conclusion, Pleroma is a genus that deserves admiration and appreciation. Its stunning flowers, ecological importance, and cultural significance make it a true gem in the world of plants. I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Pleroma and the wonders of the natural world.