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Indian Rhododendron
Melastoma candidum
γγγΏγ³
An evergreen shrub of southern Kyushu and Okinawa. It produces large purple 5-petaled flowers from summer to autumn. The leaves have prominent 3 main veins, and the leaf surface is densely hairy. It clearly exhibits the characteristic arcuate venation of Melastomataceae.
Identification Points
- βLeaves with 3β5 conspicuous arcuate main veins
- βFlowers large, 4β5 cm across, purple with 5 petals
- βStamens dimorphic (long and short), S-curved
Habitat
Mountains, fields, forest edges, and roadsides in southern Kyushu and Okinawa
Season
JulyβOctober (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Shrub
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Flower color
Purple
Leaf type
Simple
Petal count
Many
Stipules
Absent
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Phylogenetic PositionγγγΏγ³η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Myrtales > Melastomataceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 80 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Melastomataceae belongs to Myrtales; the arcuate parallel main veins are unusual among dicots and represent a unique trait rather than convergent evolution.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification