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Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtenordningen
Family: Melastomataceae
Genus: Heterocentron
Species: H. elegans
Binomial name: Heterocentron elegans
Synonyms: Centradenia floribunda, Schizocentron elegans, Rhexia elegans, Monochaetum guatemalense, Heeria elegans
Common name: Spanish Shawl

Heterocentron elegans is a tropical perennial subshrub native to the montane regions of Central America. It is a sprawling plant with small, dark green, oblong leaves with varying amounts of tiny hairs. It has a bright magenta or purple-pink, four-petalled flowers. It grows to a height of 5cm and has an indefinite spread.

In New Zealand, Heterocentron elegans is listed in the in the Global Compendium of Weeds, as a casual alien, naturalised weed.

The photos below are of it growing roadside bank in New Plymouth.
Heterocentron elegans Spanish Shawl.JPG

Growing in full sunshine
Heterocentron elegans Spanish Shawl-002.JPG

Growing on a vertical bank in the shade.
1-Heterocentron elegans Spanish Shawl -001.JPG

1-Heterocentron elegans Spanish Shawl -002.JPG

Closed flower with its distinctive spiky receptacle.
Heterocentron elegans Spanish Shawl-003.JPG  

Heterocentron elegans Spanish Shawl-004.JPG 

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/