Melastoma candidum syn. Melastoma septemnervium
Asian Melastome
Melastoma is a tropical and sub-tropical shrub of the forests of India, South-east Asia and Australia. It has 6 - 12 cm. long x 2 -4 cm. wide oval leaves that are ovate and measure 6 to 12 cm (2.5 to 4.5 in) in length, and 2–4 cm (1–1.5 in) wide, are covered in fine hair and have longitudinal veins. Purple 5-petalled flowers appear in Spring and Summer at the end of branchlets. Following the flowers are 8mm long purple fruits that split open to expose a reddish -purple flesh containing many small seeds. The common name "blue tongue" refers to the edible purplish-black pulp within the fruit capsules that stains the mouth blue. Several varieties of melastoma have become noxious weeds in Hawaii, and other areas. WARNING: Although tasks have been given for planting and general care of this plant, bear in mid that it can be a noxious weed!
Contributed by @caroline
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Partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Not Frost hardy
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Rich and free draining
Common name
Asian Melastome
Latin name
Melastoma candidum syn. Melastoma septemnervium
type
Evergreen Shrub
family
Melastomataceae
ph
5.5 - 8.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Partial shade
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Frost
Not Frost hardy
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Soil
Rich and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
2.00 M
3.00 M
Melastoma candidum syn. Melastoma septemnervium
Melastoma is a tropical and sub-tropical shrub of the forests of India, South-east Asia and Australia. It has 6 - 12 cm. long x 2 -4 cm. wide oval leaves that are ovate and measure 6 to 12 cm (2.5 to 4.5 in) in length, and 2–4 cm (1–1.5 in) wide, are covered in fine hair and have longitudinal veins. Purple 5-petalled flowers appear in Spring and Summer at the end of branchlets. Following the flowers are 8mm long purple fruits that split open to expose a reddish -purple flesh containing many small seeds. The common name "blue tongue" refers to the edible purplish-black pulp within the fruit capsules that stains the mouth blue. Several varieties of melastoma have become noxious weeds in Hawaii, and other areas. WARNING: Although tasks have been given for planting and general care of this plant, bear in mid that it can be a noxious weed!
Flowering
From Mid Spring TO Early Autumn
5-petalled flowers appear from Spring to early Autumn - longer in the right conditions, even all year round.
Planting
From Early Spring TO Late Spring
Plant in rich, moist free-draining soil in partial shade, and where it is protected from both hot winds and hot afternoon sun.This is a tropical or sub-tropical plant
Propagating by cuttings
From Late Summer TO Early Autumn
Take semi- ripe cuttings from this season's growth in Autumn. Cut neatly, just below a leaf node, a 5" approx. piece of a healthy shoot that has soft growth at the tip. pinch out the growing tip, and cut off the bottom leaves. Dip the bottom of the cutting in hormone rooting powder, and carefully place in a pot of cutting compost with the leaves just above the level of the compost. Water, label, cover with a polythene bag, and place in a warm, bright place, out of direct sunlight. Take the polythene bag off periodically for a while for ventilation (at least twice a week)
caroline