Status:
valid
Authors:
Guillaumin
Source:
ipni
Year:
1913
Citation Micro:
Bull. Soc. Bot. France 60: 366, 402 (1913)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000160503
Common Names
- Oriental Melastoma
- Oriental Blue Tongue
- Oriental Rose
Synonyms
- Otanthera confusa Craib [unknown]
Description
Melastoma orientale (also called Oriental Melastoma, Oriental Blue Tongue, and Oriental Blue Tongue Plant, among many other common names) is a shrub native to Southeast Asia. It has small, oval leaves and bright blue flowers. It grows in tropical and subtropical forests, as well as in disturbed areas.
Uses & Benefits
Melastoma orientale is used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flowers and foliage. It is also used for medicinal purposes and as a hedge plant.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Melastoma orientale is a bright pink-purple color and has five petals. The seed is a small, black, round seed. The seedlings are small and have a single, oval-shaped leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Melastoma orientale is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that can reach up to 4 meters in height. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is usually done by cuttings or layering. Cuttings should be taken in the spring or summer and planted in a moist, well-drained soil mix. Layering can be done by bending a branch down to the ground and burying it in the soil. The branch should be left in place until it has rooted, at which point it can be cut off and transplanted.
Where to Find Melastoma orientale
Melastoma orientale can be found in the forests of Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Melastoma orientale FAQ
What is the scientific name of Melastoma orientale?
Melastoma orientale
What is the natural habitat of Melastoma orientale?
Forests, grasslands, and rocky areas
What are the common names of Melastoma orientale?
Oriental melastome, oriental melastoma
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,