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Use of melastomataceae in Ecuador

Abstract:

Melastomataceae is a family with about 4500 species distributed mainly in the tropics, especially in South America. There are 43 genera and 553 species registered for Ecuador. Based on the revision of herbarium specimens housed at QCNE, QCA and the literature, 24 genera and 124 species are registered as useful for humans. Of these, 27 (21.8%) are used as food due to the sweetish fruits and acidic stems, used against thirst; 32 (25.8%) are used for construction; 59 (47.6%) are medicinal; 8 (6.4%) are used by Shamans for treating fisical and spiritual ailments; only 4 (3.2%) are ornamentals; and 50 (40.3%) have various uses, such us for tools handles, brooms, fuelwood, charcoal, dyes, and for living fences.