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Identification:
This shrub is semiwoody and can grow up to 9' tall. The young stems are angled and hairy. The leaves are opposite, 3" long by 1.4" wide, hairy, and have 5-7 prominent veins. The flowers are pink and have 4 petals with bright yellow anthers. The fruit is cup-like and extremely small. The seeds are very small and numerous.
Impacts: This plant is a prolific seeder and spread by birds. It forms dense stands in pastures and can also invade disturbed forest areas, displacing native species.
Dispersal Mechanism: This
plant is a prolific seeder that can be spread by birds. It has also been known to be spread by humans who have used the plant in landscaping.
Origin, Distribution, and Habitat: This shrub is native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Cane tibouchina has heavy infestations on Maui and Big Island. It occurs in the northern Ko'olau range on O'ahu, as well as on Moloka'i and Lana'i, and in Hilo, including lower Saddle Road on Hawai'i. This pest is not known to be on Kauai. Please report any new sighting of this pest!
More information about this pest 
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Glorybush (Tibouchina urvilleana):
Also called princess flower, this is another Melastome species that can be very invasive. It has larger, purple flowers with five petals and can grow up to 12' tall. The anthers of this plant are purple, unlike the yellow anthers of cane tibouchina. This plant can be seen in Koke'e, naturalized along the roadside.
THIS LOOK-ALIKE IS ALSO A PEST!
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Glorybush has flowers with 5 petals and that are much larger than cane tibouchina.
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