straits rhododendron/melastoma

this shrub is very common. see it all the time on my walks at the various nature parks and also at wastelands. today, i finally found out its name. the seeds are dispersed by birds.

the attractive flowers last only one day, opening after sunrise, closing the same day, with the petals falling off a few days later. the flower has two different kinds of stamens.the seeds are tasteless and can be eaten, but stains the tongue black. in fact, the word melastoma is greek for "black mouth".

the flowers are usually dark purple or pinkish. i have also seen the rare white ones at mt faber.

the young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and taste sour. the pulp around the seeds can also be eaten. the seeds are used to produce a black dye, the roots, a pink dye. in some places, the leaves are fed to silkworms.

the leaves are used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery; wash for ulcers, to prevent scarring from smallpox; and to treat piles.

the fruit is favoured by birds like the flowerpeckers and doves which also disperse the seeds. squirrels and monkeys are also fond of the fruit. being among the first to be found on wasteland, the plant helps prevent soil erosion and to allow regeneration of vegetation.