The other common name of Malabar Melastome Indian-rhododendron. In Hindi, it is known as Phutki, Jharua, in Kannada, it is known as Ankerki, dodda Nekkare, in Sanskrit it is Tinisah. The botanical name is Melastoma malabathricum and belongs to Melastomataceae (Melastome) family.
Malabar Melastome is an evergreen shrub and grows up to 2 meters tall. It is a widespread weed in the Western Ghats and is seen in most part of Southeast Asia. Leaves are elliptic to lanceolate and are 2 to 6 cm in length. The leaves are sometimes narrow to oblong and are 4 to 6 cm wide.
The flowers are bright and attractive with 5 petals. The color varies from light to dark pink. They bloom in 1 to 5 clusters. The stamens are twice the number of petals and are in contrasting colours.
The fruit of Malabar Melastome is like a berry with a many seeds coated with red and sweet pulp.
