About Melastoma malabathricum L.
Melastoma malabathricum L. grows wild across a wide range of soil types, at elevations ranging from sea level up to 3000 meters. It is an erect, freely flowering shrub that reaches an approximate height of 3 meters. This branched plant has reddish stems covered in bristly scales and minute hairs. Its leaves are simple, elliptic lanceolate with a rounded base, growing up to 7 cm long, with three distinct main veins running from the leaf base to the apex. Flowers are produced on short terminal cymes, with flower clusters 2 to 8 cm across. Flower colors include pink, violet, and mauve. The fruit is a berry; when ripe, it splits irregularly to expose its soft, dark blue pulp and orange seeds.
