mə̇ˌlastəˈmāsēˌē noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Melastoma, type genus + -aceae
: a family of trees, shrubs, or herbs (order Myrtales) that are characterized by opposite 3- to 9-nerved leaves, anthers with thickened connectives, and petals inserted on the throat of the calyx and that include numerous forms cultivated as ornamentals — see rhexia
• me·las·to·ma·ceous ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|māshəs adjective