Melastoma affine

Scientific Name: Melastoma affine

Author: D.Don

Common Name: Bluetongue

Family: Melastomataceae

Location

A small to medium shrub which occurs from India to Malesia, tropical regions of Australia and south to near Kempsey in New South Wales.

Come and see this species in our Fruit Loop behind the Garden Shop and Restaurant.

It is an attractive shrub which is fast growing and adapts well to a variety of soils and conditions, although best flowering is achieved in full sun with a good water supply. The large showy flowers last only a few days but are produced over many months and in some areas throughout the year. These are followed by blue-black fruit with a sweet, edible flesh which will stain the mouth a dark bluish colour, hence the common name of Bluetongue. Regular pruning is recommended from an early age to encourage a dense, bushy form.

It has a close relationship with native bees, especially the Giant Carpenter Bee (genus Xylocopa) and the Metallic Green Carpenter Bee (genus Lestis). The pollen is tucked away in deep pores in the stamens and is only released if the stamens are vigorously shaken. This is done by `buzz pollination’ where the bee grasps the stamens with its legs and vibrates its wings rapidly causing the pollen to rain down upon the bee.  Once the pollen is all over the bee it can be readily transferred to the flower’s stigma, resulting in pollination.

Introduced Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) are unable to `buzz’ the stamens and can only collect any pollen which has been spilt on the petals.  They cannot pollinate the plant.