Common Name:

General Information

Melastoma orientale is an evergreen shrub, usually growing up to 2 metres tall but occasionally reaching 5 metres[].
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

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[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
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 dark blue, globose berry around 4 - 7mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is used for ablutions after delivery[].

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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