Melastoma malabathricum

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Melastoma malabathricum is a very common shrub in open places including forest edge, wasteland and rural road. Also known as Indian Rhododendron, its distribution includes the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Polynesia and Hawaii.

Flower of Melastoma malabathricum, Indian Rhododendron, Melastomataceae, opposite leaves
The flowers and leaves of Melastoma malabathricum.

It resembles Clidemia hirta in certain characteristics for both of them are members of the Melastomataceae family. For example, the leaves are opposite in arrangement with 3-5 parallel veins. M. malabathricum, however, has brownish red stems covered with tiny scales. The 5 petalled, purple flowers are very showy, and they are held at the end of the twigs. Ten yellow stamens are present on each flower; 5 of those are longer with the upper half are purple and curved.

Fruit of Melastoma malabathricum, black berry, Indian Rhododendron, Melastomataceae
The black berry of Melastoma malabathricum contains numerous tiny seeds.

The evergreen Melastoma  malabathricum does not seem to have any definite flowering and fruiting season. Since the flowers and fruits are used as food by many animals, observation on this shrub usually yields many sightings. The black berries are eaten by birds and the flower is visited by various kinds of bees.

Related Post
Clidemia hirta (Koster's Curse)

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