MELASTOMA MALABATHRICUM Meaning and
Definition
-
Melastoma malabathricum, also known as the Malabar Melastome or Indian-rhododendron, is a flowering shrub belonging to the family Melastomataceae. Native to Southeast Asia, this plant is widely distributed across various countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam. It typically grows in diverse habitats such as forests, grasslands, and disturbed areas.
Melastoma malabathricum possesses several distinguishing characteristics. It is a woody shrub that can reach heights of up to 2 to 3 meters. The leaves are simple, opposite, and elliptical in shape, with prominent veins running across them. The flowers are strikingly beautiful, with five bright purple petals arranged in a star-like formation. These blossoms attract a wide array of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
In addition to its ornamental value, Melastoma malabathricum also holds medicinal significance. Various parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, and roots, are traditionally used in folk remedies to treat ailments such as coughs, fever, and dysentery. The plant extracts are believed to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Furthermore, Melastoma malabathricum has cultural significance in certain regions. Its flowers are often offered during religious ceremonies, and in some traditions, the plant is believed to ward off evil spirits.
Overall, Melastoma malabathricum is an attractive flowering shrub with medicinal properties, valued not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its potential health benefits.
Common Misspellings for MELASTOMA MALABATHRICUM
- nelastoma malabathricum
- kelastoma malabathricum
- jelastoma malabathricum
- mwlastoma malabathricum
- mslastoma malabathricum
- mdlastoma malabathricum
- mrlastoma malabathricum
- m4lastoma malabathricum
- m3lastoma malabathricum
- mekastoma malabathricum
- mepastoma malabathricum
- meoastoma malabathricum
- melzstoma malabathricum
- melsstoma malabathricum
- melwstoma malabathricum
- melqstoma malabathricum
- melaatoma malabathricum
- melaztoma malabathricum
- melaxtoma malabathricum
Etymology of MELASTOMA MALABATHRICUM
The word "Melastoma Malabathricum" is a scientific name for a species of flowering plant native to Southeast Asia.
The etymology of the name "Melastoma" can be traced back to Greek roots. "Mela" means "black" in Greek, and "stoma" means "mouth". This refers to the dark-colored stomata (pores) found on the leaves of the plant.
"Malabathricum" is derived from, and named after, the Malabar region, which is a coastal region in southwestern India. The plant was commonly found in this region, hence the name was given to it.
