Selngang, Senggani
Melastoma candidum

Family: Melastomataceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows about 2.4 m tall. The stems are bristly. The leaves are oval and 5-15 cm long. They have 7 easy to see veins. The leaves have bristles underneath. The flowers are white or pink. They are 5-8 cm wide. They have a mild scent. The fruit is a fleshy capsule 8-12 mm long and 7-10 mm wide.

Used as a medicine in Indonesia. There are about 90 Melastoma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Luzon and Bontoc in the Philippines. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Mua, Mua doi

Synonyms

Melastoma affine D. Don; Melastoma malabathricum L.; Melastoma polyanthum Bl.;