melastoma Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun type genus of Melastomataceae; Asiatic shrubs with leathery leaves and large purple flowers followed by edible fleshy black berries
    genus Melastoma.

WordNet

Me*las"to*ma noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. black + mouth.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; -- so called from the black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.

Webster 1913