Showy medinilla (Medinilla magnifica), a member of the Melastomataceae family, is more commonly known as the Malaysian orchid, despite not being part of the orchid family. Native to the mountains of the Philippines, this species is found mostly in the tropics. The leaves are somewhat distinctive, being opposite, decussate (x-shaped), and usually with three to seven longitudinal veins arising from the base of the blade. Its exotic cascading blossoms are borne either singly or in clusters on a central stem with a single terminal flower that develops first, with the other flowers in the cluster developing afterward. The blossom is made up of many small flowers cupped in bracts (large petal-like leaves) that can grow to 20 inches. Look carefully and you will see delicate purple anthers sticking out of the trumpet-shaped flowers. This small detail is the finishing touch and its hallmark. Easy to grow, this medinilla likes a lot of light and prefers to become somewhat dry between watering. This unique, elegant plant won the title Favorite New Flowering Plant at the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in 2012 and is now being called the Rolls Royce of houseplants.