Status:
valid
Authors:
Sw.
Source:
tro
Year:
1798
Citation Micro:
Fl. Ind. Occid. ii. 826. (1798)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001081797
Common Names
- Meriania leucantha
- White-Flowered Meriania
- White-Flowered Star-Vine
Description
Meriania leucantha (also called 'White-flower Meriania' and 'White-flower Melastome', among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae. It is a shrub or small tree, reaching up to 8 m in height. It is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It is found in tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests.
Uses & Benefits
Meriania leucantha is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments such as fever, headache, and stomachache.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Meriania leucantha is a small, white, bell-shaped flower with five petals. The seed is small, black and oval-shaped. The seedlings are small, with oval-shaped leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Meriania leucantha is a tropical evergreen shrub that grows best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate some drought. Propagation is typically done by seed or cuttings.
Where to Find Meriania leucantha
Meriania leucantha is native to Central and South America. It is found in tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, and is typically found at elevations of 0-1000 m.
Species in the Meriania genus
Meriania axinaeoides,
Meriania selvaflorensis,
Meriania horrida,
Meriania arborea,
Meriania calophylla,
Meriania calyptrata,
Meriania excelsa,
Meriania glabra,
Meriania involucrata,
Meriania longipes,
Meriania nobilis,
Meriania paniculata,
Meriania prunifolia,
Meriania pulcherrima,
Meriania quintuplinervis,
Meriania radula,
Meriania rigida,
Meriania robusta,
Meriania sclerophylla,
Meriania splendens,
Meriania tetraquetra,
Meriania urceolata,
Meriania weberbaueri,
Meriania hexamera,
Meriania rugosa,
Meriania macrophylla,
Meriania panamensis,
Meriania leucantha,
Meriania acida,
Meriania tomentosa,
Meriania tetragona,
Meriania crassiramis,
Meriania axinioides,
Meriania boliviensis,
Meriania vilcabambensis,
Meriania cuzcoana,
Meriania vargasii,
Meriania amischophylla,
Meriania sanguinea,
Meriania maxima,
Meriania acostae,
Meriania mexiae,
Meriania ampla,
Meriania pastazana,
Meriania campii,
Meriania drakei,
Meriania maguirei,
Meriania amplexicaulis,
Meriania kirkbridei,
Meriania costata,
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,