Scientific Name: Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum

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  • Pronunciation:
    mel-ah-STOME-ah mel-ah-BATH-re-cum
  • Common Name:
    Blue Tongue Nunyi-um
  • Derivation:
    was Melastoma affine
  • Type:
    Shrub
  • Family:
    MELASTOMATACEAE
  • Flowers:
    Mauve (or sometimes white) to 5cm, all year.
  • Fruit:
    Semi-succulent hairy capsule
  • Vegetation Type:
    Eucalypt Forest, Coastal Heath - moist areas
  • Species List:
    EdingtonDr, Cooroibah, Plants for Coastal Gardens, Emu Swamp, W2, Bush food, NLTalks2010, Cooroibah Airstrip, Weyba Nature Refuge, Eumarella Rd., Peregian Boardwalk, Boreen Point Caravan Park, Wooroi Day Use Area Tracks, Wallace Park, St. Teresa\'s, Pacific Lutheran College, Cooroibah26.4.09, Kingfisher Bay Resort, Cooloothin Corner, Fraser Island, Mill Point, Johns, Cooroibah Conservation Park, Cooroibah Bushland Reserve, Batianoff 87, Upper Yandina Creek, Boreen Point, Leslie Drive Roundabout Noosa North Shore PS TAFE BHNR NNP Tanglewood Noosa Banks Noosa River NP NNS Fern Track, Stratford Park, NNS, Heritage Park, Regional Ecosystem 12.3.5.
Cultural Notes

TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential:

Bush food: Sweet edible fruit pulp causes tongue to turn black

Identification Notes

Sometimes confused with the weed Melastoma candidum (Asian Melastoma). The native Melastoma has 5 longitudinal veins and blue-purple fruit, whereas the introduced Melastoma has 7 longitudinal veins, has red-raspberry coloured fruit and is a hairier and more robust plant.

Associated Fauna

Butterfly host plant: Miskin\'s blue (RARE), Maskin\'s Jewell||

Landscaping Notes

Ornamental shrub with showy flowers. Best in moist soils in sun or part shade.||Prune to shape.|Add to mixed hedge or screen for texture and seasonal colour.