Asian melastome; Melastoma candidum
A flowering shrub native to East and Southeast Asia, known for its showy purple flowers. The name is usually written in katakana.
An Asian melastome is blooming in the garden.
Katakana spelling is standard for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji form is rare and mainly used in botanical contexts; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
The Japanese name ノボタン is thought to derive from the plant's resemblance to the peony (ボタン), with the prefix 野 (no, 'field') indicating a wild variety. The exact origin is uncertain.