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Useful Tropical Plants

Melastoma orientale

Guillaumin

Melastomataceae

+ Synonyms

Otanthera confusa Craib

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Melastoma orientale is an evergreen shrub, usually growing up to 2 metres tall but occasionally reaching 5 metres[
1031
Title
Revision of the Southeast Asian Genus Melastoma (Melastomataceae)
Publication
Blumea 46 pp 351 - 398
Author
Meyer K.
Publisher
 
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and possibly as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1031
Title
Revision of the Southeast Asian Genus Melastoma (Melastomataceae)
Publication
Blumea 46 pp 351 - 398
Author
Meyer K.
Publisher
 
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia (Buru).

Habitat

Open or disturbed places in forests or along the sides of streams; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[
1031
Title
Revision of the Southeast Asian Genus Melastoma (Melastomataceae)
Publication
Blumea 46 pp 351 - 398
Author
Meyer K.
Publisher
 
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height2.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

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[
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.
]. They generally have a sweet flavour, but can be quite astringent, especially if not fully ripe[
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.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The fruit is a dark blue, globose berry around 4 - 7mm in diameter[
1031
Title
Revision of the Southeast Asian Genus Melastoma (Melastomataceae)
Publication
Blumea 46 pp 351 - 398
Author
Meyer K.
Publisher
 
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is used for ablutions after delivery[
1031
Title
Revision of the Southeast Asian Genus Melastoma (Melastomataceae)
Publication
Blumea 46 pp 351 - 398
Author
Meyer K.
Publisher
 
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Melastoma species are rich in tannins of the hydrolysable type. Most of them are di- and trimers, with reported bactericidal and antiviral activities[
1031
Title
Revision of the Southeast Asian Genus Melastoma (Melastomataceae)
Publication
Blumea 46 pp 351 - 398
Author
Meyer K.
Publisher
 
Year
2001
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

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[
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.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-03. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Melastoma+orientale>

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