Wikimedia Commons
Melastomataceae
Indian Rhododendron
Melastoma malabathricum
Exuberance and tropical beauty.
- Family
- Melastomataceae
- Genus
- Melastoma
- Native to
- India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer, Year-Round In Tropics
- Type
- evergreen shrub
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- acidic, moist
- Water
- moderate to high
- Hardiness
- 10-12
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The name Melastoma means 'black mouth' because eating the dark berries stains the mouth and tongue deep purple.
- Children in Southeast Asia traditionally use the berries as natural face paint and ink.
- Despite being called a rhododendron, it belongs to an entirely different plant family.
- The plant can bloom continuously throughout the year in tropical climates.
- It is used in traditional medicine across Asia to treat diarrhea, wounds, and toothaches.
Color meanings
0
caution
1
beauty
2
abundance