"Melastoma malabathricum" is a flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae. Despite its common names, it does not have any connection to actual rhododendrons, and belongs to the Rosids clade as opposed to the Asterids clade.
Similar species: Myrtles, Evening Primroses.
By Prashant Karadakatti
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Uploaded Jul 24, 2023. Captured in 746W+3F C.M.Samudra, Karnataka, India.