Memecylon ovatum
Sm.
Melastomataceae
This species is closely related to Memecylon edule Roxb.[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Memecylon edule Fern.-Vill.
Memecylon edule ovatum (Sm.) C.B.Clarke
Memecylon ferreum Blume
Memecylon grande ovatum (Sm.) Trimen
Memecylon laxiflorum Wall.
Memecylon laxiflorum Wall. ex Ridl.
Memecylon lucidum C.Presl
Memecylon parviflorum Blanco
Memecylon pierrei Hance
Memecylon prasinum Naudin
Memecylon rhodophyllum Bakh.f.
Memecylon tinctorium Blanco
Memecylon umbellatum Merr.
Memecylon violaceum Cogn.
Common Name:
Flowering branch
Photograph by: P.B. Pelser
© P.B. Pelser
Flowering branch
Photograph by: P.B. Pelser
© P.B. Pelser
Close-up of the flowers
Photograph by: P.B. Pelser
© P.B. Pelser
General Information
Memecylon ovatum is an evergreen shrub or small tree, usually growing up to 8 metres tall but occasionally reaching up to 14 metres[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
Range
E. Asia - India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines.
Habitat
Lowland dipterocarp forest, rocky and sandy shores; either growing very near to the sea on exposed rocks or slightly further inland on ridge tops of limestone hills. Often gregarious[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
,
334- Title
- Flora of Peninsula Malaysia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tfbc.frim.gov.my
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- In the process of being assembled (15/07/09), it is currently a series of check sheets giving species name, brief description, habitat and high quality photos of the plants.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 6.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
We have no specific information for this species, but in general the species in this genus succeed in full sun or in partial shade, growing best in a moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil[
974- Title
- Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ahmed Fayaz
- Publisher
- Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
- 978-1-55407-489
- Description
- A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].
Plants concentrate aluminium in their leaves and are thus able to grow in aluminium-rich acid soils that can be toxic for many other species.
Edible Uses
Fruit - cooked[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Rather juicy[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The dark purple, globose fruit is around 7mm in diameter[
464- Title
- A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
- Publication
-
- Author
- Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Dulau and Co; London.
- Year
- 1898
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Medicinal
A decoction of the roots is used in teating certain irregularities of menstruation[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
The leaves are astringent. An infusion is used as a wash in the treatment of ophthalmia[
345- Title
- Minor Products of Philippine Forests
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brown. W. H.
- Publisher
- Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
The leaves are rich in aluminium and are used as a mordant before dyeing. They are particularly used with sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan), in the Philippines for for example, when colouring the fibre of talipot palm (Corypha umbraculifera)[
310- Title
- Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://proseanet.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
The wood is heavy, hard, strong and very flexible. It is used for purposes such as piles, axles etc[
975- Title
- Les Plantes Utiles des Colonies Françaises
- Publication
-
- Author
- J.-L. De Lanessan (Editor)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/Default.aspx
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1886
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Information on the useful plants of the Frech colonies towards the end of the 19th century. Many botanical names have changed, but the information remains valid and is often not easy to find elsewhwere. It can be downloaded from the Internet
].
We have no more specific information for this species, but in general the wood of Memecylon species is usually white to brown, very dense and heavy, sinking in water. It is also often very durable. Where the wood gets large enough it is often used traditionally for purposes such as poles, house posts, lumber and furniture[
1032- Title
- The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 57
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
- Year
- 1980
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition includes a revision of the Asian section of the genus Memecylon
].
The wood of many species in the genus has a high calorific value and is often favoured as a fuel and for making charcoal[
1032- Title
- The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 57
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
- Year
- 1980
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A botanical journal, this edition includes a revision of the Asian section of the genus Memecylon
].
Propagation
Seed -
Air layering
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
