Plant Family: 169 Genera in Melastomataceae

A Journey into the Enchanting World of Melastomataceae

As a nature enthusiast and a devoted gardener, I, Ferb Vu, have always been captivated by the diverse and vibrant flora that graces our planet. Amongst the countless plant families that adorn our landscapes, the Melastomataceae, also known as the “Meadow Beauty” family, holds a special place in my heart. With their striking foliage, exquisite flowers, and ecological significance, these plants have enthralled botanists and horticulturists for centuries. Join me on a journey as we explore the fascinating world of Melastomataceae and delve into their unique characteristics and ecological roles.

Melastomataceae: An Overview

The Melastomataceae family comprises a vast array of flowering plants, encompassing approximately 169 genera and over 5,000 species. These plants are predominantly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with a particular concentration in the Neotropics. They exhibit a remarkable diversity in growth forms, ranging from small herbs and shrubs to towering trees and woody vines. Melastomataceae plants are renowned for their distinctive features, including their opposite leaves with characteristic parallel venation and their showy flowers with numerous stamens.

Genera of Melastomataceae: A Rich Tapestry

The Melastomataceae family boasts a rich tapestry of genera, each with its unique charm and ecological adaptations.

1. Miconia: This genus is the largest within the Melastomataceae family, comprising over 1,000 species. Miconia plants exhibit a wide range of growth forms, from shrubs and trees to epiphytes and lianas. They are recognized for their beautiful foliage, often with contrasting venation patterns, and their clusters of small, vibrant flowers. – 1906 Species in Genus Miconia
2. Tibouchina: Commonly known as the “Princess Flower” or “Glory Bush,” Tibouchina plants are prized for their stunning, large, purple flowers. These shrubs or small trees are native to South America and are widely cultivated as ornamentals in tropical and subtropical gardens.
3. Medinilla: This genus encompasses a diverse group of epiphytic or terrestrial shrubs and vines. Medinilla plants are admired for their pendulous inflorescences adorned with showy bracts and delicate, bell-shaped flowers. They are often grown in greenhouses or as houseplants due to their exquisite beauty. – 368 Species in Genus Medinilla
4. Acanthella Hook.f.
5. Aciotis D.Don
6. Acisanthera P.Browne
7. Adelobotrys DC.
8. Allomaieta Gleason
9. Alloneuron Pilg.
10. Almedanthus Ver.-Lib. & R.D.Stone
11. Amphiblemma Naudin
12. Amphorocalyx Baker
13. Anaheterotis Ver.-Lib. & G.Kadereit
14. Andesanthus P.J.F.Guim. & Michelang.
15. Anerincleistus Korth.
16. Antherotoma (Naudin) Hook.f.
17. Appendicularia DC.
18. Argyrella Naudin
19. Arthrostemma Pav. ex D.Don
20. Aschistanthera C.Hansen
21. Astrocalyx Merr.
22. Astronia Blume
23. Astronidium A.Gray
24. Axinaea Ruiz & Pav.
25. Bamlera K.Schum. & Lauterb.
26. Barthea Hook.f.
27. Beccarianthus Cogn.
28. Bellucia Neck. ex Raf.
29. Benna Burgt & Ver.-Lib.
30. Bertolonia Raddi
31. Bisglaziovia Cogn.
32. Blakea P.Browne
33. Blastus Lour.
34. Boerlagea Cogn.
35. Bourdaria A.Chev.
36. Boyania Wurdack
37. Brachyotum (DC.) Triana
38. Brasilianthus Almeda & Michelang.
39. Bredia Blume
40. Bucquetia DC.
41. Cailliella Jacq.-Fél.
42. Calvoa Hook.f.
43. Cambessedesia DC.
44. Castratella Naudin
45. Catanthera F.Muell.
46. Centradenia G.Don
47. Centradeniastrum Cogn.
48. Centronia D.Don
49. Chaetogastra DC.
50. Chaetolepis (DC.) Miq.
51. Chalybea Naudin
52. Cincinnobotrys Gilg
53. Comolia DC.
54. Comoliopsis Wurdack
55. Creochiton Blume
56. Cyphotheca Diels
57. Dalenia Korth.
58. Derosiphia Raf.
59. Desmoscelis Naudin
60. Dicellandra Hook.f.
61. Dichaetanthera Endl.
62. Dinophora Benth.
63. Dionycha Naudin
64. Dionychastrum A.Fern. & R.Fern.
65. Diplectria (Blume) Rchb.
66. Dissochaeta Blume
67. Dissotidendron (A.Fern. & R.Fern.) Ver.-Lib. & G.Kadereit
68. Dissotis Benth.
69. Driessenia Korth.
70. Dupineta Raf.
71. Eleotis Ver.-Lib. & R.D.Stone
72. Eriocnema Naudin
73. Ernestia DC.
74. Feliciadamia Bullock
75. Feliciotis Ver.-Lib. & G.Kadereit
76. Fordiophyton Stapf
77. Fritzschia Cham.
78. Graffenrieda DC.
79. Gravesia Naudin
80. Guyonia Naudin
81. Henriettea DC.
82. Heteroblemma (Blume) Cámara-Leret, Ridd.-Num. & Veldkamp
83. Heterocentron Hook. & Arn.
84. Heterotis Benth.
85. Huberia DC.
86. Kendrickia Hook.f.
87. Kerriothyrsus C.Hansen
88. Kirkbridea Wurdack
89. Lijndenia Zoll. & Moritzi
90. Lithobium Bong.
91. Loricalepis Brade
92. Macairea DC.
93. Macrocentrum Hook.f.
94. Macrolenes Naudin
95. Maguireanthus Wurdack
96. Mallophyton Wurdack
97. Marcetia DC.
98. Melastoma L.
99. Melastomastrum Naudin
100. Memecylon L.
101. Mendelia Ver.-Lib. & G.Kadereit
102. Meriania Sw.
103. Merianthera Kuhlm.
104. Microlicia D.Don
105. Monochaetum (DC.) Naudin
106. Monolena Triana ex Benth. & Hook.f.
107. Mouriri Aubl.
108. Neblinanthera Wurdack
109. Neodriessenia M.P.Nayar
110. Nephoanthus C.W.Lin & T.C.Hsu
111. Nepsera Naudin
112. Nerophila Naudin
113. Noterophila Mart.
114. Nothodissotis Ver.-Lib. & G.Kadereit
115. Ochthephilus Wurdack
116. Ochthocharis Blume
117. Opisthocentra Hook.f.
118. Osbeckia L.
119. Ossaea DC.
120. Oxyspora DC.
121. Pachycentria Blume
122. Pachyloma DC.
123. Perilimnastes Ridl.
124. Phainantha Gleason
125. Phyllagathis Blume
126. Physeterostemon R.Goldenb. & Amorim
127. Pilocosta Almeda & Whiffin
128. Plagiopetalum Rehder
129. Pleroma D.Don – 175 Species in Genus Pleroma
130. Plethiandra Hook.f.
131. Poikilogyne Baker f.
132. Poilannammia C.Hansen
133. Poteranthera Bong.
134. Preussiella Gilg
135. Pseudodissochaeta Nayar
136. Pseudoernestia Krasser
137. Pternandra Jack
138. Pterogastra Naudin
139. Pterolepis (DC.) Miq.
140. Pyrotis Ver.-Lib. & R.D.Stone
141. Quipuanthus Michelang. & C.Ulloa
142. Rhexia Gronov.
143. Rhynchanthera DC.
144. Rosettea Ver.-Lib. & G.Kadereit
145. Rostranthera M.J.Rocha & P.J.F.Guim.
146. Rousseauxia DC.
147. Salpinga Mart. ex DC.
148. Sandemania Gleason
149. Sarcopyramis Wall.
150. Schwackaea Cogn.
151. Scorpiothyrsus H.L.Li
152. Siphanthera Pohl
153. Sonerila Roxb.
154. Spathandra Guill. & Perr.
155. Sporoxeia W.W.Sm.
156. Stanmarkia Almeda
157. Stussenia C.Hansen
158. Styrophyton S.Y.Hu
159. Tashiroea Matsum. ex T.Itô & Matsum.
160. Tateanthus Gleason
161. Tessmannianthus Markgr.
162. Tigridiopalma C.Chen
163. Triolena Naudin
164. Tristemma Juss.
165. Tryssophyton Wurdack
166. Vietsenia C.Hansen
167. Votomita Aubl.
168. Warneckea Gilg
169. Wurdastom B.Walln.

Ecological Significance of Melastomataceae

Melastomataceae plants play a vital role in their ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity and ecological balance. Their flowers attract a plethora of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. Their fruits serve as a valuable food source for various animals, including birds, mammals, and insects. Additionally, Melastomataceae plants often form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, enhancing nutrient uptake and promoting plant growth.

Conclusion

The Melastomataceae family stands as a testament to the wonders of nature, showcasing an extraordinary diversity of forms, colors, and ecological adaptations. From the vibrant flowers of Tibouchina to the pendulous inflorescences of Medinilla, these plants captivate the senses and enrich our landscapes. As a passionate gardener and admirer of the natural world, I encourage you to explore the enchanting realm of Melastomataceae and discover the beauty and significance of these remarkable plants.