Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum
Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum, commonly known as the Malabar Melastome, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent bioactive properties, this subspecies is traditionally utilized in various folk remedies to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues, offering significant potential for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Melastomataceae and the genus Melastoma. Specifically, it is identified as the subspecies Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Melastomataceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Melastoma | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum, is known by various regional names across different linguistic groups. In English, it is frequently referred to as Malabar Melastome, while in Malay, it is commonly called Semalu. In the local dialects of Indonesia, it is known as Melastoma, and in Tamil, it is referred to as Thumbai.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found inhabiting the islands of Mauritius, Madagascar, and the Seychelles. Its presence also extends to East Asia, where it is located in various parts of China South-Central. Additionally, the species is specifically documented in the tropical region of Hainan. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where this medicinal plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Kazan-retto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Activities
Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |