Melastomataceae
Quick Summary
Melastomataceae is a family of plants that includes trees, shrubs, and herbs. These plants are characterized by opposite leaves that have 3 to 9 veins, anthers with thickened connectives, and petals attached to the calyx throat.1
While many species within this family are not significant food sources, some Melastomataceae berries are edible and are consumed by birds, with their seeds remaining viable after digestion. The family is diverse, with over 4,960 species found across the humid tropical belt, particularly in the New World. A notable member often cultivated for its striking purple flowers is the glory bush (Tibouchina organensis). Some species, like Medinilla magnifica, are grown as greenhouse plants for their ornamental flowers and foliage. Many Melastomataceae flowers are adapted for pollination by bees, often being nectarless and visually attractive to attract pollinators.234
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MyrtalesFamily distributions and abundanceMelastomataceae contains more than 4,960 species in 188 genera. Its members are found along the entire humid tropical belt but are most diverse in the New World, where two-thirds of the species are found. Its largest genus and one of the largest in the flowering…
Read MoreMelastomataceae contains more than 4,960 species in 188 genera. Its members are found along the entire humid tropical belt but are most diverse in the New World, where two-thirds of the species are found. Its largest genus and one of the largest in the flowering…
Read More- MyrtalesNatural history
Most Melastomataceae species have nectarless flowers adapted to pollination by pollen-collecting bees. In many members of Melastomataceae, the stamens bear conspicuous, often yellow appendages and may be of two lengths or different colours; it is not clear whether these elaborations have a function in the pollination…
Read MoreMost Melastomataceae species have nectarless flowers adapted to pollination by pollen-collecting bees. In many members of Melastomataceae, the stamens bear conspicuous, often yellow appendages and may be of two lengths or different colours; it is not clear whether these elaborations have a function in the pollination…
Read More - MyrtalesCharacteristic morphological features
In most Melastomataceae and in some Myrtaceae, there are several main secondary veins that branch out from the base of the blade and many tertiary veins that run in a transverse pattern across the leaf blade. This venation pattern gives the leaves of nearly all members of…
Read MoreIn most Melastomataceae and in some Myrtaceae, there are several main secondary veins that branch out from the base of the blade and many tertiary veins that run in a transverse pattern across the leaf blade. This venation pattern gives the leaves of nearly all members of…
Read More