This vigorous small tree had a solitary trunk with ascending branches that form a compact crown. It has a large dark green prominently veined leathery elliptical leaves and the small white flowers appear in an upright cluster followed by edible berries.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Miconia calvescens is naturally found in tropical America from Mexico to Paraguay and south-eastern Brazil growing in the understory of tropical forests from sea level to an altitude of 1,800 m (5,905 ft). 

It prefers a protected humid semi-shaded to sunny position and grows in well-drained humus rich moist sandy soil to clay loam that is tending acidic. It is frost and drought tender but under ideal conditions it becomes a weed.

Velvet Tree is a grown for its very attractive foliage and its tree-like habit. It is planted in the understory of rainforest settings for foliage contrast and tropical effect. It is also used in gully plantings and when young it is grown as a potted house plant. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is long lived.

In cold regions it is commonly grown in conservatories or glasshouses as a specimen for botanical curiosity. Care should be taken when selecting a site for planting as it soon escapes cultivation and becomes a weed. ID 3683

Miconia (mik-OH-nee-a)  calvescens (kal-VES-enz)

Melastomataceae (MEL-as-TO-ma-TAY-see-ee)