Melastomataceae

Melastoma, from the Greek words melas black and stoma mouth because the mouth is stained black or dark purple by the berries. Trees, shrubs and herbs sometimes climbing; leaves opposite and decussate, simple, palmately-nerved, no dominant midrib but cross veins prominent. Flowers 4-5-merous, hypanthium formed by the basal fusion of floral parts, appendages usually present on the staminal filaments, dehiscence by pores, staminodes common. Ovary superior to inferior; fruit a capsule or a berry. Ornamentals and several serious weeds in this family.