Melastomataceae

Melastome Family

By: Cara Delsignore and George Rogers

About 215 genera and 4750 species (HUX, BA1) of herbs to trees with opposite, usually pubescent leaves having curved parallel (arcuate) veins. Flowers with 4-5 sepals, petals, and stamens. The petals often purplish (or white), the anthers often bright yellow, large, with a long, curved appendage (connective), often uneven in size. Ovary inferior. The genera Rhexia and Tetrazygia are native to Florida.

Key to Melatomataceae Important in South Florida Landscaping

1. Plants ground-covering vines…Tibouchina Groundcover, Spanish Shawl (Dissotis rotundifolia

1. Plants shrubs to small trees…2

2. Trees. Twigs with longitudinal ridges or wings…Tree Tibouchina (Tibouchina granulosa)

2. Shrubs. Twigs without wings (or winged in Medinilla)…3

3. Small shrubs or subshrubs usually grown in containers; branches drooping;  leaves glabrous or only lightly pubescent; inflorescences drooping; flowers pink, with 4(5) petals and equal stamens….Medinilla (Medinilla myriantha)

3. Shrubs usually grown in the ground; branches erect; leaves very hairy; inflorescences either upright panicles or axillary, erect; flowers purple, with 5 petals, the stamens unequal…4

4. Leaves broader than 2.5”…Panthers Ear Tibouchina (Tibouchina heteromalla (grandifolia))

4. Leaves narrower than 2.5”…Princess Tibouchina (Tibouchina urvilleana)