Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don

Common name: Koster's Curse

Local name: Senduduk

Family: Melastomataceae

Koster's Curse Plant

Flowers of Koster's Curse

Fruits of Koster's Curse

Koster's Curse Plant

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Taxonomic classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Spermatophyta

Subphylum: Angiospermae

Class: Dicotyledonae

Order: Myrtales

Family: Melastomataceae

Genus: Clidemia

Species: Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don

Discription

Growth Form: Perennial shrub.

Foliage: Glossy, deeply veined leaves are ovate to oblong with crenate leaf margin (leaf edge lined with rounded teeth). Leaves have 5 major veins spreading from base to tip with numerous lateral veins that create ladder-like patterns.

Flowers: Small white flowers are composed of 5 petals with rounded to truncate tips. The sepals are fused at the base and covered with long, white hairs.

Fruits: Bluish-black berry is hairy and shaped like an egg.

Habitat

The native habit of this species is in grasslands, shrublands and riparian zones (along rivers). Outside of its native range, it is an invasive species that displaces native species and forms monocultures.

Habit

Shrub

Ethnobotanical uses

Medicinal uses:

Leaves - for healing wound

Non-medicinal uses:

Fruits - edible