Native Lasiandra, Blue tongue
Melastoma affine

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub. It grows 1-3 m high and spreads 1-2 m across. It has a bushy habit. The stems are scaly and the young growth has coarse hairs. The leaves are 4-12 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The leaves are mid-green and somewhat leathery. They are produced opposite one another. They have 3-5 prominent veins. They are hairy on both surfaces. The leaf stalk is 2 cm long. The flowering arrangements are at the ends of branches. They have up to 10 flowers. The flowers are 4-8 cm across and open. They are purple with yellow stamens. The fruit are 0.6-1.4 cm across. They are round or urn shaped and black when ripe. They occur singly or in bunches near the ends of branches. The seeds are very small and in purple pulp. The fruit are edible. Possibly now Melastoma malabathricum

There are about 22 Melastoma species. The flesh of the fruit stains the mouth.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. The plants mostly grow in moist soils. They will grow on a range of soils. It does best in full sunlight. It cannot tolerate frost. The plants occur in coastal areas in open forest. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, East Africa, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. (The flesh stains the mouth.) The roots are eaten raw. Honey is found in the old flowers.

In Papua New Guinea a very minor wild edible fruit seen in the Western Province and also recorded from Manus.

Edible parts

Fruit, roots, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. Regular pruning is helpful.

Plants are fast growing. In Australia, plants flower all year round but more commonly from December to March.

Its other names

Local names

Bei bai, Bie chong na ma ha jia, Harendong, Lidah biru

Synonyms

Melastoma denticulatum Labill. Melastoma malabathricum auct. non L.; Melastoma polyanthum Bl.; See Melastoma candidum;