| 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 familyMelastomataceae. It has over 100 species distributed aroundSoutheast 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 becomeinvasive species, inHawaii and other areas.
At least one species containssphaeraphides. They were found in abundance in the endophloem and mesophloem, but none occurred in the bark or leaves.[3]
As of November 2020[update],Plants of the World Online (PoWO) accepted the following species.[1] An additional species,Melastoma malabituin, was described in 2020.[4]