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Bud of Melastoma malabathricum


Bud of Melastoma malabathricum
Photo Information
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1671 W: 0 N: 3123] (10893)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-31
Categories: Rain Forest
Camera: Nikon D80, Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG macro
Exposure: f/4, 1/400 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-02 6:10
Viewed: 864
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Straits Rhododendron
Melastoma malabathricum
Sendudok (Malay)

This showy bush rapidly colonises wastelands as their seeds are dispersed by birds. As such, the Straits Rhododendron is often considered a weed.

The beautiful flowers last only one day, opening after sunrise, closing the same day, with the petals falling off on the a few days later. The flower has two different kinds of stamens.

The seeds are tasteless and can be eaten, but stains the tongue black. In fact, the word melastoma is Greek for "black mouth". Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Average 1m but may grow up to 3m tall.

Stems: reddish, covered with small rough scales.

Leaves: Simple, narrow with 3 prominent longitudinal veins. Bristly underside.

Flowers: Five petals; dark purple to pinkish; on rare occasions, white.

Fruits: Oval with purple pulp; contains many tiny seeds.

Status in Singapore: Common.

World distribution: Madagascar, India to Australia. Very common in Southeast Asia.

Classification: Family Melastomataceae.


Uses: The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked and taste sour. The pulp around the seeds can also be eaten (Indonesia). The seeds are used to produce a black dye, the roots, a pink dye. In some places, the leaves are fed to silkworms.

Traditional medicinal uses: Leaves are used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery (Malaysia, Indonesia); wash for ulcers, to prevent scarring from smallpox; and to treat piles.

Role in the habitat: The fruits are the favourites of birds like the flowerpeckers and doves which also disperse the seeds. Squirrels and monkeys are also fond of the fruits. The plant is the host for caterpillars of butterflies such as the Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) and the Grey Count (Tanaecia lepidea). Being among the first to colonise wasteland, the plant helps prevent soil erosion and to allow regeneration of vegetation in such places.


REFERENCES
To buy these references & others, visit
Nature's Niche
Ivan Polunin, "Plants and Flowers of Singapore", Times Editions, 1987 (p. 98: description, habitat, distribution, photo).
Wee Yeow Chin, "A Guide to Medicinal Plants", BP Singapore Science Centre, 1992 (p. 100: description, chemical compounds, uses, photo).
E. J. H. Corner, "Wayside Trees of Malaya: Vol II", Malayan Nature Society, 4th ed., 1997 (p. 484-486: description, habit, distribution).
Argus, mohaiminawang, Heaven, siggi, rousettus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4172 W: 194 N: 12286] (37871)
  • [2008-12-02 6:19]

Hello Foozi,
Another fine macro of the Straits Rhododendron taken in fine lighting against a very suitable neutral BG to show this short-lived flower in all its splendour.
TFS this beauty,
Regards,
Ivan

Assalammualaikum Foozi,

jumpa lagi,macro yang cantik...seperti biasa identiti fotograpi kau dari mula aku ikuti....pilihan warna contras yang sempurna dan menarik. Nice BG and lighting too.

salam
mohaimin

Hi Foozi!

This is another beautiful flower you present us, in your own style. It's a pleasant picture, simple and well composed. I also appreciate the very detailed and instructive notes.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1758 W: 60 N: 5965] (20674)
  • [2008-12-02 8:21]

Hello Foozi,
This is beautiful! I like the composition and the shot is sharp with excellent DOF
Very well done and thanks for posting.
Regards Siggi

Salam aleykum Foozi,
what a beautiful flower and its great macro-shot. Coloration, focus, POV/OOF, contrast lighting and composition very nice. Also nicely framed. Thanks for sharing, best wishes from Turkiye.
Ahmet

Olá Foozi

As cores desta foto são muito, muito bonitas e fazem um belo contraste. Gosto dos detalhes e a luz está ótima.
Parabéns
GA
Vera

very nice, why bud, it looks like an open flower, TFS Ori

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