This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Tree Physiology following peer review. The version of record M Khairil, David F R P Burslem; Controls on foliar aluminium accumulation among populations of the tropical shrub Melastoma malabathricum L. (Melastomataceae), Tree Physiology, Volume 38, Issue 11, 1 November 2018, Pages 1752–1760, is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/treephys/article/38/11/1752/5076114