Red Melastome
Melastoma sanguineum
- Native to:
- Borneo, Cambodia, China, Hainan, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Myanmar, Philippines, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Forest Starr & Kim Starr
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Melastomataceae
- Genus:
- Melastoma
- Species:
- Melastoma sanguineum
- USDA Symbol:
- MESA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, magenta
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rootstock after fire; common in fire-prone tropical and subtropical habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers organic matter-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are tiny and require light for germination; surface sow and keep consistently moist.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI