Melastoma malabathricum L.
Indian-Rhododendron / Kudok-kudok/Senduduk (Bru.); Kemungting uman (Ib.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Perennial erect shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall. Leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, papery, densely covered with tiny scales on both surfaces and bristly at the underside. Leaf blade is lanceolate to elliptic, acuminate at apex, cuneate at base with entire margin and tri-veined. Stems are branching, covered with small scales and often reddish. Young barks are rough becoming brownish, covered with netting marks when mature. Flowers are maroon pinkish and several-flowered. Inflorescence a terminal panicle. Fruit a hairy, black
The fresh young stem can be eaten to reduce high blood pressure, cure diabetes and gastric pain and often added with honey or other food to mask the taste. The plant exhibits antibacterial, antifilarial, antiplasmodial, anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antinociceptive, antihypercholesterolemic, cardiotonic, cytochrome inhibitory and
It prefers poor, heavy clay, moist soil under full sunlight.
Stem cutting and seeds.
Considered native to tropical and temperate Asia and the Pacific
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