Malabar Melastome
Melastoma malabathricum (?)
Observed near Isiukhu Falls in the Kakamega Forest Preserve, Kenya, Africa. 12 October 2010.
Plants belonging to the family Melastomataceae are usually easy to recognize because the leaves have prominent, parallel veins. The structure of the flowers is also helpful in recognizing the family. The petals and sepals are born in a ring above the developing ovary/fruit. This example is likely an escape from cultivation from stock originating in Southeast Asia.