What is "melastoma"

Melastoma \Me*las"to*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las black + sto`ma mouth.] (Bot.) A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; -- so called from the black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.

n. (context botany English) Any of the genus (taxlink Melastoma genus) of flowering plants.

Melastoma is a genus in the family Melastomataceae. It has about 50 species distributed around Southeast Asia, India, and Australia. It is undergoing taxonomic revision. Many species have been planted around the world for the aesthetic value of their bright purple flowers. Several have the capacity to become weedy, and have become noxious weeds in Hawaii and other areas.

Species:

• Melastoma affine - Blue Tongue, Native Lasiandra
• Melastoma candidum - Asian Melastome
• Melastoma dodecandrum - Dì niè (Chinese: 地菍) or De rěn (Chinese: 地稔)
• Melastoma imbricatum - Senduduk Putih, Senggani Putih
• Melastoma malabathricum – Malabar Melastome, Singapore Rhododendron, Senduduk, Senggani
• Melastoma polyanthum - Straits Rhododendron
• Melastoma sanguineum - Fox-tongued Melastome, Blood-red Melastoma
• Melastoma septemnervium - Asian melastome