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 Kapa-Kapa Medinilla magnifica
One of the most spectacular flowering epiphytes is the kapa-kapa (Medinilla magnifica). Growing on the limbs of trees in the lowland rain forests of Luzon and Mindoro, it is one of the 80 species of Medinilla found in the Philippines. Its squarish, corky stems sprout relatively large, glossy, elliptical leaves that are rich emerald in color. The species name, magnifica, evokes the plant's magnificent blossoms, an explosion of pink to coral-red flowers. Kapa-kapa has been cultivated since the middle of the 19th century, when it was first collected and formally described, by the English collector J. H. Veitch. In 1854, the Royal Horticultural Society of England bestowed its grand prize on the plant. Then and now regarded as one of the most gorgeous and striking tropical plants in cultivation, its growing fame encouraged garden enthusiasts to seek and gather more plants from the wild. Veitch tried to frustrate their efforts and keep his trade secret by reporting that he had found the plant on the island of Java in Indonesia. We know now that his report was erroneous; the kapa-kapa is unique to the Philippines. The species is becoming exceedingly rare in its native habitat because of forest destruction which opens up the canopy. The kapa-kapa prefers cool, shaded areas, and deforestation deprives it of the optimum environment. There are in all likelihood more individuals of the species growing in cultivation than living in the wild. |
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