Memecylon
(the Greek name used by Dioscorides for the fruit of the Arbutus). SYN. Scutula. ORD. Melastomaceae. A genus consisting of about 100 species of very glabrous trees and shrubs, inhabiting Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, tropical Africa, and Ceylon, many being found on the seashores. Flowers white or bluish, frequently axillary, or springing from below the leaves, or terminal, fasciculate, or in panicles. Leaves sessile or shortly petiolate. Various dyes are extracted from some of the Cingalese species. M. edule has edible but astringent berries. The species are unknown to cultivation in this country.