Melastoma, from the Greek words melas black and stoma mouth
because the mouth is stained black or dark purple by the
berries. Trees, shrubs and herbs sometimes climbing; leaves
opposite and decussate, simple, palmately-nerved, no dominant
midrib but cross veins prominent. Flowers 4-5-merous, hypanthium
formed by the basal fusion of floral parts, appendages usually
present on the staminal filaments, dehiscence by pores,
staminodes common. Ovary superior to inferior; fruit a capsule
or a berry. Ornamentals and several serious weeds in this
family.