Melastoma Malabathricum plant (purple)

Gangagardens

Melastoma is a genus in the family Melastomataceae, Melastoma is a tropical and sub-tropical shrub of the forests of India, Southeast Asia and Australia. It has 6 - 12 cm. long x 2 -4 cm. wide oval leaves that are ovate and measure 6 to 12 cm (2.5 to 4.5 in) in length, and 2–4 cm (1–1.5 in) wide, are covered in fine hair and have longitudinal veins. Purple 5-petalled flowers appear in Spring and Summer at the end of branchlets. Following the flowers are 8mm long purple fruits that split open to expose a reddish-purple flesh containing many small seeds. The