Melastomataceae

=Family description=
 * Climbers, epiphytes, shrubs and trees**.
 * Leaves** crosswise opposite, simple, often with three parallel main veins. Stipules absent.
 * Flowers** usually bisexual, often showy, stamens often with anthers that open via apical pores, ovary (half) inferior, usually 4-5-celled.
 * Fruits** berries.

=General info=
 * Distribution** Pantropical. 4950 species.
 * Ecology** Forest understoreys and secondary growth. Pollination often by bees, fruits of some species eaten by birds.
 * Uses** Ornamental, edible fruits.
 * Similar to** Myrtaceae, but these have pellucid dots in leaves and numerous stamens. Crypteroniaceae but these have thickened twigs at nodes, petals that are minute or absent and anthers without appendages.

=Treated genera=
 * Melastoma
 * Memecylon (**Memecylaceae**)

[|Melastomataceae.pdf]

Melastoma malabathricum

Memecylon calyptratum