How to Identify Melastomataceae

Melastomataceae is a plant family in the Plantae kingdom, order Myrtales, class Magnoliopsida. The family contains 130 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Melastomataceae Species

How to identify Miconia subseriata (Naudin) R.Goldenb. & Michelang.

Miconia subseriata (Naudin) R.Goldenb. & Michelang.

Miconia subseriata (Naudin) R.Goldenb. & Michelang.

Miconia subseriata is a Melastomataceae shrub or tree distributed from southern …

How to identify Rhexia virginica L.

Rhexia virginica L.

Rhexia virginica L.

Rhexia virginica L. is a perennial herb native to eastern North America that gro…

How to identify Miconia crenata (Vahl) Michelang.

Miconia crenata (Vahl) Michelang.

Miconia crenata (Vahl) Michelang.

Miconia crenata is a branched perennial shrub native to tropical Americas, with …

How to identify Rhexia alifanus Walter

Rhexia alifanus Walter

Rhexia alifanus Walter

Rhexia alifanus, savannah meadowbeauty, is a pink-flowered perennial flowering p…

How to identify Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC.

Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC.

Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC.

Miconia prasina is a tree species in the Melastomataceae family native to the Am…

How to identify Medinilla magnifica Lindl.

Medinilla magnifica Lindl.

Medinilla magnifica Lindl.

Medinilla magnifica is an epiphytic flowering plant from the Philippines, grown …

How to identify Chaetogastra longifolia (Vahl) DC.

Chaetogastra longifolia (Vahl) DC.

Chaetogastra longifolia (Vahl) DC.

Chaetogastra longifolia is a flowering plant species in the Melastomataceae fami…

How to identify Pterolepis glomerata (Rottb.) Miq.

Pterolepis glomerata (Rottb.) Miq.

Pterolepis glomerata (Rottb.) Miq.

Pterolepis glomerata, false meadowbeauty, is a neotropical Melastomataceae plant…

How to identify Pleroma semidecandrum (Schrank & Mart. ex DC.) Triana

Pleroma semidecandrum (Schrank & Mart. ex DC.) Triana

Pleroma semidecandrum (Schrank & Mart. ex DC.) Triana

Pleroma semidecandrum, the Princess-Flower, is a Brazilian evergreen ornamental …

How to identify Miconia theizans (Bonpl.) Cogn.

Miconia theizans (Bonpl.) Cogn.

Miconia theizans (Bonpl.) Cogn.

Miconia theizans is a shrub or tree species in Melastomataceae native to South A…

How to identify Medinilla cumingii Naudin

Medinilla cumingii Naudin

Medinilla cumingii Naudin

Medinilla cumingii, the chandelier tree, is a small flowering shrub native to mo…

How to identify Miconia salicifolia (Bonpl. ex Naudin) Naudin

Miconia salicifolia (Bonpl. ex Naudin) Naudin

Miconia salicifolia (Bonpl. ex Naudin) Naudin

Miconia salicifolia is a South American native shrub species in the plant family…

Browse all 130 Melastomataceae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Melastomataceae?

Melastomataceae plants belong to the Myrtales order in the Plantae kingdom. is a perennial herb that can be easily recognized by its distinctly angled stems. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Melastomataceae?

Melastomataceae is classified in the order Myrtales, class Magnoliopsida, phylum Tracheophyta. Leaves are sparsely hairy on the upper surface and more densely hairy on the lower surface, and have five distinct veins that run almost parallel from the leaf base to the tip.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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