(n) type genus of Melastomataceae; Asiatic shrubs with leathery leaves and large purple flowers followed by edible fleshy black berries, Syn. genus Melastoma
‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. me`las black + sto`ma mouth. ] (Bot.) A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; -- so called from the black berries of some species, which stain the mouth. [ 1913 Webster ]