Miconia

Scientific name: Miconia elaeagnoides

POWO Status: Not Listed

Miconia elaeagnoides can be either a shrub or a small tree. The species is known to grow as a shrub, but also as a small tree, with heights up to 15 meters, according to Queensland Business.

IUCN Red List threat level: Not Evaluated

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.92″ N, 64° 49′ 46.47″ W

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Observations:

Phenological Markers – Miconia elaeagnoides

Common Name: No widely used English common name; often referred to as Miconia or Elaeagnoid Miconia
Scientific Name: Miconia elaeagnoides (Sw.) DC.
Family: Melastomataceae

Leaf Phenology

  • Leaf Type: Simple, opposite leaves, elliptic to lanceolate, often with silvery or rust-colored undersides due to fine hairs (similar to Elaeagnus)
  • Evergreen: Yes, in moist tropical climates
  • Leaf Flush: Occurs periodically throughout the year; new growth often reddish or bronze before maturing to green
  • Senescence: Minimal under stable conditions; older leaves may yellow and drop gradually

Flowering

  • Inflorescence: Terminal or axillary panicles bearing many small, 5-petaled flowers (white to pinkish)
  • Blooming Period: Generally late dry season into early rainy season (spring to summer), but may vary with rainfall
  • Pollinators: Likely bees and other small insects; flowers offer both nectar and pollen
  • Phenological Indicator: Showy clusters of small pink-white flowers at branch tips, often appearing with or shortly after new leaf flush

Fruiting

  • Fruit Type: Small berry, typically dark purple to black when mature
  • Fruit Development: Fruits ripen over several weeks after flowering; may persist on plant
  • Dispersal: Primarily birds
  • Phenological Indicator: Clusters of dark berries replacing spent flower panicles

Suggested Photo Angles

  • Full plant habit (may be a shrub or small tree)
  • Close-up of leaf upper and lower surfaces (highlighting texture and color difference)
  • Flower panicles at branch tips
  • Clusters of ripening berries
  • New leaf flush (reddish or bronze) for contrast

Notes for Monitoring

May play a role in bird-mediated seed dispersal in native ecosystems

Miconia elaeagnoides is native to the Caribbean and parts of Central America, often found in moist forests and forest margins

As with other Miconia species, flowering and fruiting may vary with elevation and microclimate, but tend to follow seasonal rainfall patterns

The combination of reddish new growth, panicle flowers, and purple fruit makes this species visually distinct and valuable for phenology tracking

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