Common Name:

General Information

Melastoma dodecandrum is a creeping, evergreen perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody. It can form a dense mat of growth, growing up to 30cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and possibly as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, northern Vietnam.

Habitat

Open, dry or wet grassland and scrub; at elevations up to 800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but the fruits of many species in the genus are eaten as a snack[]. They generally have a sweet flavour, but can be quite astringent, especially if not fully ripe[, ]. The fruit is a berry 3 - 7mm long and wide[].

Medicinal

The roots, leaves, flowering tops or berries are astringent and are used in the treatment of conditions such as diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, and dysentery[, ].
Externally, they can be used as a wash on cuts, wounds etc.

Melastoma species are rich in tannins of the hydrolysable type. Most of them are di- and trimers, with reported bactericidal and antiviral activities[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown fresh in a nursery seedbed, or in containers because of the small size of the seed. Germination is best in either full sun or in light shade[].

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