Common Name: Downy Rose Myrtle

General Information

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a much-branched, evergreen shrub or small tree, growing 1 - 4 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is often cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, both as an ornamental and for its edible fruit[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, southern Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Thrives in open, often degraded sandy sites, along the shore and on river banks. Where it grows, other plants seem not to be able to compete with it, hence almost pure stands exist[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa can succeed in tropical and subtropical climates at elevations up to 2,440 metres[]. The plant requires an annual rainfall that exceeds 1,200mm[]. Plants can tolerate occasional temperatures dropping to as low as -6°c[].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained but moisture-retentive lime-free soil[]. Prefers a soil with a pH in the range 4 - 6[]. Plants can tolerate occasional flooding[].
There are two main forms of the plant. Var. tomentosa is generally found in more harsh environments, up to elevations of 300 metres and rarely up to 1,300 metres[]. On the other hand, var. parviflora occurs in montane woodlands and grassland at altitudes of 1,800 - 2,700 metres[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become invasive in some of the areas it has been introduced to[].
Seedling plants can commence bearing fruit when 3 - 4 years old[], whilst plants raised through cuttings will bear fruit in about 2 years[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - usually eaten raw, they are also made into pies and jellies[]. The fully ripe fruit is sweet and much liked by children[]. It is somewhat astringent before it is fully ripe[]. The purple oblong fruit is up to 15mm long and 10mm wide[].

Medicinal

The fruit has been used as a cure for dysentery and diarrhoea[].

A decoction of the roots or leaves is drunk as a treatment for diarrhoea and stomach-ache, and as a protective medicine after birth[].

A decoction or the extracted juice of the buds and young leaves has a beneficial effect in the treatment of colic. diarrhoea, dysentery. abscesses. furunculosis and haemorrhage[].
A concentrated decoction o thef leaves is used as an antiseptic wash for treating wounds. impetigo and abscesses[].
The crushed leaves are used to dress wounds[].

Other Uses

The wood-tar can serve as a black dye and has been used to blacken teeth and eyebrows[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown fresh. Remove the seed from the fruit pulp before sowing[].
Cuttings.
Division of crowns.

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