Code
TSMMA
Growth form
Broadleaf
Biological cycle
Perennial
Habitat
Terrestrial
🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Melastoma sessile Schum. & Thonn. |
| synonym | Melastoma virusanum Comm. ex Juss. |
| synonym | Osbeckia virusana (Juss.) Baill. |
| synonym | Tristemma acuminatum A. & R. Fern. |
| synonym | Tristemma angolense Gilg |
| synonym | Tristemma fruticulosum Gilg |
| synonym | Tristemma grandifolium (Cogn.) Gilg |
| synonym | Tristemma incompletum R.Br. |
| synonym | Tristemma intermedium Steud. |
| synonym | Tristemma kaessnerianum Kraenzl. |
| synonym | Tristemma quadriannulatum De Wild. |
| synonym | Tristemma virusanum Juss. |
🗒 Common Names
| Creoles and pidgins; French-based |
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| English |
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| Malagasy |
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| Other |
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📚 Overview
Description
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Global description
Tristemma mauritianum is a very branched plant that can reach 0.80 to 1.5 m high. The leaves are simple, opposite, held by a petiole of 2 cm. The lamina is oval elliptical, 6 to 14 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide, rounded at the base, acute or acuminate at the top and leathery to the touch, strongly marked by a midrib and 3 to 5 lateral ribs arched. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary, borne on a stalk of 2-4 mm. Inflorescence has 5 to 15 flowers with glabrous calyx, 5 obovate petals roses, 5 yellow unequal stamens, white style ending in a green stigma. The indehiscent fruit is a fleshy red berry, with 5 loculus.
Cotyledons
The Cotyledons are stalked and have reduced sub circular lamina, 1.5 to 2 mm in diameter.
Growth habit
Perennial shrub, suffrutescent in some stations, it can behave as annual and biennial species in cultivations. The well-branched plant can reach up to 0.80 to 1.5 m high.
Underground system
The pseudo-woody taproot, gray in color, with well differentiated secondary roots.
Stem
The stem is quadrangular, winged, gray at the base and green to red at the top. The branches are covered with appressed hispid bristles especially on corners.
Leaf
The leaves are simple, opposite, carried by a petiole 2 cm long, red in colour, slightly winged and ribbed, pubescent. The leaf blade is elliptic to oval, 6 to 14 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide, rounded to attenuate at base, acute to acuminate at apex and leathery to the touch. It is covered loosely short stiff hairs on both sides. The midrib and 3 to 5 pairs of arched lateral veins are well marked and range in color from red to green on the upper side while the underside is a completely green in color.
Inflorescence
The inflorescences are terminal or axillary carried by a long peduncle, 2 to 4 mm. They comprise of 5 to 15 flowers sub-tended by leafy bracts, slightly exceeding flowers.
Flower
The tube calyx is glabrous carrying at the top of the tube 2 to 3 bristle rings, very regular. Is is surmounted by 5 triangular to acute lobes, 4 mm high. The calyx measure 10 to 11 mm long and 5 to 6 mm wide. The corolla has 5 obovate pink petals, 15 mm long and 12 mm wide. 5 unequal yellow stamens. The style is white ending with a green stigma. The ovary 5- celled, is attached directly to the calyx tube.
Fruit
The fruit is a fleshy, red berry, smooth ovoid, 10 mm long and 6 mm wide. It consists of several free carpels and contains many seeds included in a whitish pulp, edible with a strawberry flavor.
Seed
The seed is very small, 0.6 mm long, curved, with verrucose integument, black.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Life cycle
Perenial
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Mayotte : Tristemma mauritianum flowers and fruits all year round.
Madagascar: Tristemma mauritianum can bloom all year.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Cyclicity
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Tristemma mauritianum is a perennial species that can have an annual behavior in cultivated plots. The seeds are mostly dispersed by fruit-eating birds and water.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Morphology
Growth form
Erected
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Type of prefoliation
Leaf ratio medium
Equality of opposite leaves
Opposite leaves equal
Latex
Without latex
Stem section
Square
Root type
Taproot
Hollow or solid stem
Solid stem
Stipule type
No stipule
Leaf attachment type
with petiole
Fruit type
Berry
Lamina base
rounded
acute
attenuate
Lamina margin
hairy
entire
Lamina apex
acute
acuminate
Upperface pilosity
Less hairy
Upperface hair type
Scabrous
Lowerface pilosity
Less hairy
Lowerface hair type
Scabrous
Simple leaf type
Lamina elliptic
Lamina section
embossed
Lamina Veination
Parallel
Flower color
Pinkish
Inflorescence type
Pedonculate glomerule
Terminal solitary flower
Axillary solitary flower
Stem pilosity
Less hairy
Stem hair type
Hispidus
Short and long hairs mixed
Life form
Shrub
Look Alikes
| Clidemia hirta | Tristemma mauritianum | |
| Hairiness of the plant |
plant with hirsute hairiness: twigs, petioles, leaf blades and inflorescences are entirely lined with red or greyish erect hair |
plant with short hair: twigs covered with appressed bristles to hispid ; Leaf baldes covered with short stiff quite loose hair |
| colour of lamina | Bright light green | greyish green |
| aspect of lamina | Thin and crinkled | Thick and tough |
| flower | small and white | Large and pink |
| fruit | small, round, balck and hirsute | big, pyriform, red and glabrous |
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Ecology
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Comoros: This species grows on clay and basaltic soil in ancient vegetable crops and cassava plantations, banana and vanilla). Species very present in the island of Madagascar and the Comoros archipelago from the low altitude fields to the disturbed high forest.
Madagascar: T. mauritianum grows on waterlogged soils, moist alluvial soils, fairly fertile, in sunny places or in more or less shady. It prefers damp places, on the edge of rice fields and canals, marsh edges, roadsides and waterways, neighborhood cultures in the shallows. It is a weed in upland rice or rice lowlands without control of water, in cropping systems more or less extensive. It occurs in wetlands (East and North), sub-humid areas (Middle East, North-West), from 0 to 1500 m (provinces of Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara).
Mauritius: Common species in the upper part of the island, marshy stations along the trails in the forest and in bushy vegetation.
Mayotte: Tristemma mauritianum is a native species that grows in open, humid and generally secondarized environments. It is found in wetlands, along streams, in crops, along trails, in padza.
Reunion: It is found mostly at low altitude in the wetland, in forest clearings and along roads.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Agroforestry
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Origin
Tristemma mauritianum is native to West Africa and Central and Madagascar. It is native to the Comoros.
Geographical distribution
This species was introduced in the Mascarene Islands, Australia, in northern Queensland.
Tristemma mauritianum is native to West Africa and Central and Madagascar. It is native to the Comoros.
Geographical distribution
This species was introduced in the Mascarene Islands, Australia, in northern Queensland.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Description
Geographical distibution
Madagascar
Reunion Island
Comoros
Mauritius
Seychelles
No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
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Local weediness
Comoros: Species present in old cassava, banana and vanilla mixed farming plots.
Madagascar: T. mauritianum is a fairly common weed species in the shallows but not frequent and usually not abundant in crops. It does not present any particular difficulty. It is sometimes abundant in extensive rice cultivation in the lowlands or in some poorly maintained fruit crops.
Mauritius This species is rare in cultivated fields.
Reunion: This species is rare in cultivated plots, occasionally present at the edge of fields on the east and southeast, the more humid.
Comoros: Species present in old cassava, banana and vanilla mixed farming plots.
Madagascar: T. mauritianum is a fairly common weed species in the shallows but not frequent and usually not abundant in crops. It does not present any particular difficulty. It is sometimes abundant in extensive rice cultivation in the lowlands or in some poorly maintained fruit crops.
Mauritius This species is rare in cultivated fields.
Reunion: This species is rare in cultivated plots, occasionally present at the edge of fields on the east and southeast, the more humid.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Uses
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Food: The fruits are edible.
Medicinal: T. mauritianum is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in Madagascar: the whole plant decoction is used to prevent miscarriage. This species is well known for its scarring properties. It is used for premenstrual tension, eczema, psoriasis and dysmenorrhea.
Ornamental: Species used and introduced in various countries as an ornamental plant.
Medicinal: T. mauritianum is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in Madagascar: the whole plant decoction is used to prevent miscarriage. This species is well known for its scarring properties. It is used for premenstrual tension, eczema, psoriasis and dysmenorrhea.
Ornamental: Species used and introduced in various countries as an ornamental plant.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Management
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Local management
Comoros: For bushy shrubs and trees, the weeding is done with machetes in banana fields. Hand pulling for young plants.
Madagascar: This species is controlled with angady in direct seeding rice, vegetables, and fruit crops.
Comoros: For bushy shrubs and trees, the weeding is done with machetes in banana fields. Hand pulling for young plants.
Madagascar: This species is controlled with angady in direct seeding rice, vegetables, and fruit crops.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
References
- Bosser, J., I. K. Fergusson and C. Soopramanien (Mult. an.). Flore des Mascareignes. La Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues, MSIRI, IRD, Kew.
- Humbert, (année ?), Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, Vol 165, Paris MNHN, p4-7.
- CABANIS Y., CHABOUIS L. & CHABOUIS F. 1970 – Végétaux et Groupements Végétaux de Madagascar et des Mascareignes. Tome 2, p 504-507.
- PERRIER DE LA BÂTHIE H. 1951 – Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (Plantes vasculaires) M.N.H.N Paris, p 4-6.
- Ameenah G.F, Joseph G, M.D.Bissoondayal; Plantes Médicinales de Maurice, Tome 2 ; éditions de l’Ocean Indian/Université de Maurice/ Mauritius sugar Industry research Institute, p321
- ADJANOHOUN E., AKE ASSI L., ALI AHMED, EYEME J. GUINKO S., KAYONGA A. KEITA A., LEBRAS M.. Contribution aux études ethnobotanique aux Comores ; ACCT Paris, 1982, p99
- Catalogue des plantes vasculaires de Madagascar : http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=220013843
Information Listing > References
- Bosser, J., I. K. Fergusson and C. Soopramanien (Mult. an.). Flore des Mascareignes. La Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues, MSIRI, IRD, Kew.
- Humbert, (année ?), Flore de Madagascar et des Comores, Vol 165, Paris MNHN, p4-7.
- CABANIS Y., CHABOUIS L. & CHABOUIS F. 1970 – Végétaux et Groupements Végétaux de Madagascar et des Mascareignes. Tome 2, p 504-507.
- PERRIER DE LA BÂTHIE H. 1951 – Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (Plantes vasculaires) M.N.H.N Paris, p 4-6.
- Ameenah G.F, Joseph G, M.D.Bissoondayal; Plantes Médicinales de Maurice, Tome 2 ; éditions de l’Ocean Indian/Université de Maurice/ Mauritius sugar Industry research Institute, p321
- ADJANOHOUN E., AKE ASSI L., ALI AHMED, EYEME J. GUINKO S., KAYONGA A. KEITA A., LEBRAS M.. Contribution aux études ethnobotanique aux Comores ; ACCT Paris, 1982, p99
- Catalogue des plantes vasculaires de Madagascar : http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=220013843
Images
Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Tristemma%2520mauritianum
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Family | Melastomataceae |
| Genus | Tristemma |
| Species | Tristemma mauritianum J.F.Gmel. |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
