Melastomataceae: Family Melastomataceae

The members of the family Melastomataceae are possibly the most easily recognized tropical forest plants if all you have in front of you are the leaves.  Their leaves are almost always composed of three to five veins that start from the base and end at the leaf tip. 

The family is composed of about 4,500 species.  A small handfull of these have become some of the worst weeds in the world.  Koster's Curse and Miconia are two good examples.  Miconia has caused havoc in Tahiti and Koster's curse is a major problem in Fiji and Hawaii.