45- Quaresmeirinha - Tibouchina aegopogon (Naudin) Cogn (MELASTOMATACEAE)

 

Low shrub, up to 40 cm, with unbranched stem. Opposite, 8 x 4 cm leaves, rounded, covered with hairiness, strongly marked by 5 characteristic ribs. Flowers of five petals, densely gathered, in violet or magenta color, 1.8 x 1.3 cm.

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In the wasteland, botanist Bianca Brasil takes pictures of details of the flower and leaves. I had seen it before but had not stopped to research this plant. After classifying, she discovered that she was on the red list of flora in the State of São Paulo. When we think of endangered species, we rarely care about small plants, and if this one is beautiful with its purple flowers, I think of those that have no aesthetic appeal. It is very difficult to understand that we have gone through a process of mass extinction, this time, generated by us. Mass extinction processes completely modify global biology, which can be unpleasant. As a species, we are likely to make that red list.

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Distribution: It is common in rural savanna formations in Tocantins, Goiás, Distrito Federal, Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais, but is on the red list of flora in the State of São Paulo.

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Situation in São Paulo: Uncommon, occasionally found in preserved fragments.

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How to plant: Transplant the seedling keeping the roots intact and the root ball, with possible removal of older leaves to avoid dehydration. The pit must be larger than the root ball to accommodate the roots well. But, it is a rare plant, which indicates a degree of relevance of the area where it is. So this should not be done and on the contrary this is a good argument for trying to protect the place together with the authorities. It also reproduces well by seeds,

 

Uses: Potential as an ornamental.

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MARTINS, AB (COORD.) MELASTOMATACEAE IN: MARTINS, SE ET AL (EDS.) FLORA PHANEROGAMIC OF THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO. INSTITUTE OF BOTANICS, SÃO PAULO, VOL. 6, PP: 1-168, 2009