Police dog tongue
Melastoma sanguineum
Family: Melastomataceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1-2 m high. The branches are loose and densely yellow. The leaves are opposite and oval or sword shaped. They are 10-14 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are rounded at the base. There are bristles underneath. The flowers are purple-red. They are large and showy with 1-3 at the ends of branches. The fruit are half round and 1-2 cm long and wide. They have curved bristles. They split open on one side. They are red inside with many seeds.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows on open slopes and low hills below 400 m above sea level in southern China.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit