Melastoma is a genus in the family Melastomataceae. It has over 100 species distributed around Southeast Asia, India, north to Japan, south to Australia and the Pacific Islands.[1] The number of species should probably be reduced according to some sources.[2] Many species have been planted around the world for the aesthetic value of their bright purple flowers.
Melastoma | |
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Melastoma candidum | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Melastomataceae |
Genus: | Melastoma Blume |
Species | |
See text |
Species in this genus are native to temperate and tropical Asia, Seychelles, Pacific and Australasia.[1] Several have the capacity to become invasive species, in Hawaii and other areas.
As of November 2020[update], Plants of the World Online (PoWO) accepted the following species.[1] An additional species, Melastoma malabituin, was described in 2020.[3]