Greek heteros — variable, kentron — spur.

Perennial herbs and low shrubs. Leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate or elliptic, entire, cordate with 3-15 veins, pinnate, or characteristic arching base-to-tip primary veins. Flowers solitary and terminal on lateral branches or in few-flowered clusters. Petals 4, white, pink or mauve. Stamens 8. Ovary hairy. Fruit a capsule with 4 persistent scales.

Grown mostly as colourful prostrate long-flowering rockery or pot plants.

27 species from C and S America.

Seed, softwood cuttings and division.

A prostrate member of the family with pinnately veined leaves.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Melastomataceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.