Lutki, Malabar melastome, Melastoma malabathricum
Lutki or Malabar melastome ( M elastoma malabathricum , family: Melastomataceae) is a perennial shrub found in tropical and sub-tropical Asia. It is a common plant of Sal forest and the hilly areas of Bangladesh. The evergreen shrub is found throughout South and Southeast Asia. Common names: Lutki, Datranga, Tea indicator plant, Malabar melastome, Indian rhododendron. This shrub can reach a height of 1-2 meter high. The quadrangular and reddish stems are covered with small rough hair. The leaves are ovate,-elliptic, or elliptic-lanceolate, 7-20 cm long with three ribs, hairy. The petiole 1-2 cm long. The nice looking shrub flowers throughout the year. Flowers are big, showy, purple in color, grows on terminal inflorescences. Petals 5, sepals 5, stamens 10. The edible fruit is a berry; globose, 5-13 mm long and 4-10 mm wide, succulent, dehiscent. As a wild fruit children eat this tasty berry and color their mouths black...