{"product_id":"monolena-primuliflora-midnight-glory","title":"Monolena primuliflora 'Midnight Glory'","description":"\u003cem\u003eMonolena primuliflora\u003c\/em\u003e is a member of the Melastomataceae family, native to Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. It typically grows as an epiphyte on larger trees, but is sometimes found growing lithophthically (on rocks). The spectacular cultivar 'Midnight Glory' has beautiful, very dark, glossy leaves, up to 25 cm long and 15 cm wide. They are slightly bullate (blistered) and strongly resemble \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/produkt\/anthurium-luxurians\/\"\u003eAnthurium luxurians\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e in color and texture, but are even darker. The undersides of the leaves are red.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eEven young plants develop a thickened stem that can grow remarkably quickly, developing into a substantial caudex after just one or two years. In older plants, the caudex can weigh several kilograms and reach a diameter of 40 cm or more! It is irregularly shaped and remains rather flat. Unlike the myrmecodomen ant plants ( \u003cem\u003eHydnophytum\u003c\/em\u003e , \u003cem\u003eMyrmecodia,\u003c\/em\u003e etc.), the caudex of \u003cem\u003eMonolena\u003c\/em\u003e does not typically serve as a dwelling cavity for ants; there are no suitable entrances or hollows within it (see also the original \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.biodiversitylibrary.org\/item\/14372#page\/20\/mode\/2up\"\u003especies description\u003c\/a\u003e ). However, this plant does appear to be associated with ants through the formation of so-called \"pearls.\" These protein-rich secretions are produced across the entire surface and serve as a food source for ants. Pearlls are also found in many other plants, such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/?s=Piper\u0026amp;post_type=product\u0026amp;product_cat=0\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePiper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e . Contrary to popular belief, the impressively thickened, prostrate stem thus serves the classic purpose of storing starch and water to survive a dry period.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eEven though it doesn't host ants, * \u003cem\u003eM. primuliflora*\u003c\/em\u003e is beautiful and, above all, easy to care for. Including its leaves, it can reach a diameter of just over 1 meter. Under good (tropical) conditions, it grows very quickly and can reach this size in just 2 or 3 years! It produces numerous pink flowers that grow above the leaves and bloom sequentially.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You will receive a young plant in a 5.5cm pot.","brand":"Jungle Leaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56319498551673,"sku":"Monl002","price":14.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8389\/6953\/files\/Monolena-primuliflora-Midnight-Glory-02.jpg?v=1764922353","url":"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/en\/products\/monolena-primuliflora-midnight-glory","provider":"Jungle Leaves","version":"1.0","type":"link"}