Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
tro
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 390 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001080544
Common Names
- Melastoma malabathricum
- Malabar Melastoma
- Melastoma
Description
Melastoma malabathricum (also called Malabathricum Melastoma, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Caribbean and Central America. It has a creeping habit and grows to a height of up to 20 cm. The leaves are lanceolate and have a smooth texture. The flowers are white and have five petals. It grows in moist and shady habitats, such as forests and grasslands.
Uses & Benefits
Melastoma malabathricum is used as an ornamental plant, for erosion control, and as a hedge plant.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Melastoma malabathricum sub. malabathricum
Melastoma malabathricum sub. normale (D.Don) Karst.Mey.
Melastoma malabathricum var. mariannum Fosberg & Sachet
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Melastoma malabathricum has small, white flowers that are borne in clusters. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings are thin and have small, oval-shaped leaves.
Where to Find Melastoma malabathricum
Melastoma malabathricum is native to Southeast Asia and is found in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Species in the Melastoma genus
Melastoma minahassae,
Melastoma pellegrinianum,
Melastoma sabahense,
Melastoma aculeolatum,
Melastoma aureum,
Melastoma bauchei,
Melastoma beccarianum,
Melastoma bensonii,
Melastoma borneense,
Melastoma boryanum,
Melastoma buennemeyeri,
Melastoma celebicum,
Melastoma ceramense,
Melastoma chevalieri,
Melastoma culionense,
Melastoma curvisepalum,
Melastoma cyanoides,
Melastoma decipiens,
Melastoma eberhardtii,
Melastoma elbertii,
Melastoma godeffroyi,
Melastoma griffithianum,
Melastoma harmsianum,
Melastoma horridum,
Melastoma jenkinsii,
Melastoma klossii,
Melastoma koordersii,
Melastoma lanuginosum,
Melastoma magnificum,
Melastoma molkenboerii,
Melastoma muticum,
Melastoma orientale,
Melastoma ovalifolium,
Melastoma paleaceum,
Melastoma patulisetum,
Melastoma robustum,
Melastoma roemeri,
Melastoma subalbidum,
Melastoma subgrande,
Melastoma sumatranum,
Melastoma toppingii,
Melastoma trachycaulon,
Melastoma trachyphyllum,
Melastoma trungii,
Melastoma velutinosum,
Melastoma vile,
Melastoma vulcanicum,
Melastoma zollingeri,
Melastoma micans,
Melastoma pentapetalum,
Species in the Melastomataceae family
Acanthella sprucei,
Acanthella pulchra,
Acanthella conferta,
Aciotis polystachya,
Aciotis purpurascens,
Aciotis acuminifolia,
Aciotis annua,
Aciotis rubricaulis,
Aciotis cordata,
Aciotis indecora,
Aciotis paludosa,
Aciotis circaeoides,
Aciotis ornata,
Aciotis circaeifolia,
Aciotis wurdackiana,
Aciotis olivieriana,
Aciotis ferreirana,
Aciotis viscida,
Aciotis pendulifolia,
Aciotis brachybotria,
Acisanthera pulchella,
Acisanthera quadrata,
Acisanthera boliviensis,
Acisanthera variabilis,
Acisanthera uniflora,
Acisanthera alsinaefolia,
Acisanthera paraguayensis,
Acisanthera alata,
Acisanthera hedyotoidea,
Acisanthera glazioviana,
Acisanthera quadrata,
Acisanthera ayangannae,
Acisanthera divaricata,
Adelobotrys ciliatus,
Adelobotrys atlanticus,
Adelobotrys adscendens,
Adelobotrys barbatus,
Adelobotrys ciliata,
Adelobotrys macrophylla,
Adelobotrys praetexta,
Adelobotrys tessmannii,
Adelobotrys boissieriana,
Adelobotrys fuscescens,
Adelobotrys macrantha,
Adelobotrys rotundifolius,
Adelobotrys subsessilis,
Adelobotrys jefensis,
Adelobotrys linearifolia,
Adelobotrys ayangannensis,
Adelobotrys scandens,