Memecylon caeruleum

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-6 m tall. The stems are angular. The leaves are oblong and 8-11 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The petals are white or greenish yellow but pale blue towards the base. The fruit are pink to red and turn purple to black as they ripen. They are oval and 1-1.5 cm across. They are juicy.

There are about 300 Memecylon species. Also put in the family Memecylaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near the coast. It grows in forests between 900-1,200 m above sea level in southern China. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves and fruit are occasionally eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

In China plants flower April to August and fruit December to January.

Its other names

Local names

Api-api hutan, Delek-delek jambu, Delek jambu puteh, Kelat batu, Lam lam, Phlong khee tai, Plong, Prom, Senonya, Thabye-on

Synonyms

Memecylon cordatum Wallich; Memecylon floribundum Blume;