Melastoma

Melastoma is a genus in the family Melastomataceae. It has about 50-70 species distributed around Southeast Asia, India, north to Japan, south to Australia and the Pacific Islands. It is undergoing taxonomic revision and the number of species will probably be reduced according to Wagner et al. 1999. Many species have been planted around the world for the aesthetic value of their bright purple flowers. Several have the capacity to become weedy, and have become noxious weeds in Hawaii and other areas.