The plant species known as Rhodomyrtus tomentosa belongs to the Myrtaceae family and is classified under the Plantae kingdom. It falls under the order Myrtales and the genus Rhodomyrtus. Interestingly, Rhodomyrtus is also considered a higher classification of this particular plant species.
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a flowering plant that belongs to the Myrtaceae family and can be found in various regions across southern and southeastern Asia. This versatile plant is known by many names, including the rose myrtle, and can thrive in different environments such as natural forests, riparian zones, wetlands, and even bog margins. It can grow up to an impressive 2400 m elevation and is native to countries such as India, China, and the Philippines.
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Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a type of evergreen shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall. Its leaves are opposite, leathery, and have a length of 5-7 cm and a width of 2-3.5 cm. They have three veins from the base, are oval in shape, and have a glossy green color on the upper surface. On the underside, they are densely covered with grey or rarely yellowish hair. The flowers of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa can be found either alone or in groups of two or three. They have a diameter of 2.5-3 cm and possess five petals that have a white tinge on the outside with purplish-pink or all pink coloring.
The fruit of this plant is totally safe to eat and measures about 10-15 mm in size. It’s a lovely shade of purple and has a rounded shape with three or four sections inside. The fruit is also decorated with some calyx lobes that persist even when it’s picked. Its texture is soft, and each section contains around 40-45 seeds arranged in two rows. The fruit is usually dispersed by animals who feed on it. Seed production and germination rates are both excellent.
This plant has several synonyms, such as Myrtus canescens Lour., Myrtus tomentosa Aiton, Rhodomyrtus parviflora Alston, and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Wight. It goes by many common names like Ceylon hill gooseberry, Downy myrtle, Downy rose myrtle, Feijoa, Hill gooseberry, Hill guava, Isenberg bush, Myrte-groseille, Kemunting, Gangrenzi, and Rose myrtle.
People cultivate and use this plant for various purposes.
This species has demonstrated its potential as a fire-resistant plant that can be utilized for constructing fire breaks in the Himalayas. Additionally, it is a well-liked ornamental plant found in gardens situated in tropical and subtropical regions, and admired for its profuse flowers and delectable fruit that can be consumed as pies, jams, or incorporated in salads. The fruit is also utilized to make a wine called rượu sim in Phú Quốc, Vietnam, in addition to being transformed into preserves or freshly canned with syrup for export. It’s essential to implement adequate management practices to ensure the successful growth of this species.
This plant species has become a problem in certain countries as it invades and takes over native habitats, displacing local flora and fauna. Areas such as Florida, Hawaii, and French Polynesia have been particularly affected. The plant can thrive in a variety of soil types, from coastal to marshy areas, but is sensitive to heavy salt spray. It can resprout quickly after fire, making it fire-adapted. In Florida, it forms dense monoculture thickets that overcrowd and compete with native species, potentially altering natural fire regimes. A risk assessment for Hawaii and other Pacific islands scored this plant species an 8, indicating a high likelihood of significant ecological or economic harm. To manage this species, manual removal of seedlings and felling mature shrubs with a chainsaw or brush cutter followed by commercial herbicide treatment of stumps can be effective. This species was introduced to Florida and Hawaii around 1920 and has continued to spread since then. It is currently on the State of Hawaii’s noxious weed list. French Polynesia has also experienced serious problems with this invasive species.
