Melastoma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Melastoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Melastoma candidum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Melastomataceae |
| Genus: | Melastoma Blume |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Melastoma is a genus in the family Melastomataceae. It has over 100 species distributed around Southeast Asia, India, north to Japan, south to Australia and the Pacific Islands.[1] The number of species should probably be reduced according to some sources.[2] Many species have been planted around the world for the aesthetic value of their bright purple flowers.
Species in this genus are native to temperate and tropical Asia, Seychelles, Pacific and Australasia.[1] Several have the capacity to become invasive species, in Hawaii and other areas.
At least one species contains sphaeraphides. They were found in abundance in the endophloem and mesophloem, but none occurred in the bark or leaves.[3]
