Miconia argentea
Family:
Native to:
Habitat:
Melastomataceae
Central America and northern South America
Moist, wet thickets, brushy hillsides, ravines. Up to 1500 meters above sea level. 8 meters tall.
Ecological value:
During March to May, the fruits are consumed by white-faced monkeys and birds. The light flowers attract small insects including bees. Pioneer, can be used for woodland restoration. Prefers full sun
Material uses:
The wood is fairly hard, brown in color, and fairly durable if treated properly. Its used primarily for fence posts and in house construction, and if large enough can be used for railroad ties. The It is also used as a high quality fuelwood.
Edible uses:
Unspecified food source, however, small purple, black and blue fruits of many of the species in this genus are edible.
Medicinal use:
No records of medicinal uses found.
Other details:
Possible use as a pioneer species for re-establishing woodland due to it’s ability to grow in altered landscapes such as secondary forests. The Melastomataceae family is one of the largest families of flowering plants
Research:
Christine Facella
Sources:
Sources:“Miconia Argentea - Useful Tropical Plants.” n.d. Tropical.theferns.info. Accessed November 14, 2023. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Miconia+argentea.
Uphof. J. C. Th., ‘Dictionary of Economic Plants’, Weinheim, 1959
“Neotropical Plant Portal - Miconia Argentea.” n.d. Serv.biokic.asu.edu. Accessed November 25, 2023. https://serv.biokic.asu.edu/neotrop/plantae/taxa/index.php?taxauthid=1&taxon=43672&clid=1014.
Image source: Sylvain2803. Pictured here is M. Papillosa.