Malabar Melastome
Melastoma malabathricum
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China, Guam, Hainan, India, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Palau, Philippines, Seychelles, Solomon Is., Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Vietnam
Vengolis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Melastomataceae
- Genus:
- Melastoma
- Species:
- Melastoma malabathricum
- USDA Symbol:
- MEMA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- 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)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
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 rootstock after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- acidic, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.0 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open, disturbed areas in native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are very small and require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI