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Melastoma malabathricum 'Alba'

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Melastoma malabathricum 'Alba'

Family Name: Melastomataceae

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Growth Form Shrub

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Shrub up to 1 m tall.
Foliage Narrowly elliptic leaves have 3 prominent, longitudinal veins which are lined with bristles on the underside. The leaf surface is rough.
Flowers Large, white flowers (up to 7 cm wide) are star-shaped with obovate petals.
Fruit Green, fleshy fruits are round with a crown-like structure near the tip.
Cultivation This cultivar grows best in well-draining soil that is kept consistently moist. Although it tolerates infertile soil well, it will grow best with a regular application of fertilizer.
Etymology The genus Melastoma means 'black mouth' and refers to the seeds of some plants in the genus which can stain the mouth black.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits, Edible Seeds
Medicinal: The shoots and roots are used to treat stomachache and diarrhoea. The roots and leaves are applied externally to wounds and haemorrhoids to hasten recovery.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Marsh / Bog
Thematic Landscaping Marsh Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting, Butterfly Host Plant
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Heavy Clay Soils
Maintenance Requirements Low
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White
Flower Texture(s) Smooth
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Flower Symmetry Radial
Individual Flower Shape Stellate / Star-shaped
Inflorescence Type Cyme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Green
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Numerous (>20)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 926
Species ID 2220
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 07 September 2021.
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