Andesanthus lepidotus, synonym Tibouchina lepidota,[1] also known as alstonville, Andean princess flower, lasiandra, or glory bush, is a medium-sized ornamental tree or a large shrub native to northwestern South America that is cultivated for its masses of purple flowers from autumn right through to winter.

[citation needed] The evergreen leaves are dark green in colour, with lighter undersides and prominent longitudinal veins.

Ripe seed capsules are light brown in colour, flaky to the touch, cup-shaped, measuring 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in diameter.

[5] Andesanthus lepidotus is native to the Andes mountains in Venezuela (Merida and Táchira), Ecuador (Azuay, Carchi, Chimborazo, Imbabura, Loja, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pichincha, Tungurahua, and Zamora-Chinchipe), and central Peru (Amazonas, Huanuco, San Martin), in the montane humid and cloud forests, between 800 metres (2,600 ft) and 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) above sea level.

In Colombia it is distributed in the Andean region, being found wild in the temperate and cool thermal floors.

It may not withstand severe frost or drought, but may still survive in cooler areas provided that it is sheltered and if it is watered regularly if in dry conditions.