Melastoma

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Melastoma
Starr 031118-0086 Melastoma septemnervium.jpg
Melastoma candidum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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.

Contents

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.

Description

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]

Species

Melastoma sp., W. Bengal Melastoma normale flower at Samsing, Duars, West Bengal W IMG 5977.jpg
Melastoma sp., W. Bengal

As of November 2020, Plants of the World Online (PoWO) accepted the following species. [1] An additional species, Melastoma malabituin , was described in 2020. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Melastoma L." Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Wagner, Warren L.; Herbst, Derral R.; Sohmer, S.H. (1999). Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Special Publication. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 910–911. ISBN   0-8248-2166-1.
  3. ↑ Gulliver 1864, p. 250.
  4. ↑ Agcaoilli, John Michael; Barcelona, Julie F. & Pelser, Pieter B. (March 2020). "Melastoma malabituin (Melastomaceae): a new species from northern Luzon, Philippines". Phytotaxa. 435 (1). doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.435.1.3. S2CID   216248091.
  5. ↑ "Melastoma malabituin J.Agcaoili, Barcelona & Pelser". The International Plant Names Index . Retrieved November 2, 2020.

Bibliography

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