Memecylon pauciflorum
Blume
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) elawrey, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) elawrey, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) elawrey, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
Source: WikipediaMemecylon pauciflorum is a species of plants in the Melastomataceae family. It grows as a tree or shrub in northern Australia and tropical and subtropical Asia. An understorey species typically, it grows in a variety of communities. The possum Petropseudes dahli (rock-haunting possum) uses this species as one of their scent-marking sites. It is a host to a number of funguses. People in Australia and in Thailand use the plant in folk medicine, though no efficacy has been demonstrated.
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m high. The leaves are oval. They are 3 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are shiny and light green. They have prominent midrib. The flowers are white or blue. The fruit is a green berry. It turns blue or black when ripe.
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible.
Medicinal Uses
In the traditional medicine of the Kuuku I’yu (Northern Kaanju) or Kaanichi Pama, the people of the inland highlands of central Cape York Peninsula, northeast Australia, the plant is used to treat skin infections and inflammations. Enzyme inhibitory activity, antiglycation activity and antioxidant activity of the species leaf extract was assessed and found not to be significant. The Karen people of northern and western Thailand use the species in their ethnomedicine. A decoction of the leaves is drunk as treatment for muscle pain.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows near the coast. It can be in rainforest or open woodland.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia*, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Propagation
Seed - Air layering
Other Uses
The wood is heavy, hard, strong and very flexible. It is used for purposes such as piles, axles etc. We have no more specific information for this species, but in general the wood of Memecylon species is usually white to brown, very dense and heavy, sinking in water. It is also often very durable. Where the wood gets large enough it is often used traditionally for purposes such as poles, house posts, lumber and furniture. The wood of many species in the genus has a high calorific value and is often favoured as a fuel and for making charcoal.
Notes
Also put in the family Memecylaceae.
References (2)
- Anon., 2003, Native Plants for the Fitzroy basin. Society for Growing Australian Plants Inc. (Rockhampton Branch) p 67
- Melzer, R. & Plumb, J., 2011, Plants of Capricornia. Belgamba, Rockhampton. p 176
