Melastoma cyanoides
Sm.
Bush Strawberries
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Summary
Source: WikipediaMelastoma cyanoides, commonly known as bush strawberry, is a species of plants in the family Melastomataceae native to parts of Indo-China, Malesia, New Guinea and the state of Queensland, Australia. It is a shrub to about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall with white flowers and red, spiky-looking fruit. It grows in and on the margins of rainforest; in Australia is occurs from sea level up to about 700 m (2,300 ft). The species was first described by botanist James Edward Smith in 1819, based on a collection from Ambon in Indonesia.
Description
A medium sized shrub. It grows up to 2.5 m high and spreads 1-2 m wide. It has an open bushy habit. Young growth has rusty hairs. The leaves are simple and 3-12 cm long by 2.5-6 cm wide. Both sides of the leaf have a sandpapery texture due to rough hairs. Leaves are dark green above and paler underneath. The flower panicles are crowded and at the ends of branches or in the axils of upper leaves. There are up to 7 flowers in a group. The flowers are 2.5-3 cm across and white. The fruit are 16 mm long by 9 mm wide. They occur singly or in clusters. They can be in the axils of leaves or at the end of branches. The fruit are red. They have many small seeds inside. The fruit are edible.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in disturbed areas of tropical rainforest.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Malaysia, SE Asia,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.
Synonyms
References (6)
- Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 208
- Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 282
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1997, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 7. Lothian. p 123
- Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 62
- Peekel, P.G., 1984, (Translation E.E.Henty), Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago for Naturalists, Division of Botany, Lae, PNG. p 417, 416, 588 (As Otanthera bracteata)
Show all 6 references Hide references
- Plants of Papua New Guinea LAE herbarium record
