Memecylon ovatifolium
(Poir.) Wickens
Melastomataceae
Melaleuca ovatifolia Poir.
Memecylon angulatum Rchb. ex DC.
Memecylon angulosum G.Don
Memecylon confusum Blume
Memecylon laxiflorum DC.
Memecylon ligustrinum Naudin
Memecylon obovatum Néraud
Memecylon prunifolium Naudin
Memecylon rhamnoideum Naudin
Memecylon sphaerocarpum DC.
Memecylon tinctorium Sieber ex Blume
Common Name:
General Information
Memecylon ovatifolium is an evergreen shrub
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
Africa - Réunion.
Habitat
An understorey plant in lowland woods[
605- Title
- Flore de L'Ile de la Reunion
- Publication
-
- Author
- E. Jacob De Cordemoy
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Librairie Medicale & Scientifique; Paris.
- Year
- 1895
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Not really a flora, more a list of the plants known at that time. It often includes a brief description of habit and habitat, plus the local uses of the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 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.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
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
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
We have no 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
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
