Asian Melastome
Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Philippines, Seychelles, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Melastomataceae
- Genus:
- Melastoma
- Species:
- Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum
- USDA Symbol:
- MECA9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, magenta
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, bees
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Pioneer species that readily colonizes disturbed and burned areas; resprouts vigorously from base after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- acidic, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-poor soils in native habitat
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are tiny and require light for germination; surface sow on moist medium.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI