Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa also known as rose myrtle, is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, native to southern and southeastern Asia, from India, east to southern China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines, and south to Malaysia and Sulawesi. It grows in coasts, natural forest, riparian zones, wetlands, moist and wet forests, bog margins, from sea level up to 2400 m elevation.

Description

A shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. The leaves are opposite, leathery and pointed at the base and slightly pointed at the tip. They are hairy underneath. The leaves have 3 veins. The flowers are showy. They are pink and have S shaped petals. They occur in the axils of leaves. The fruit are small yellow berries. They can be greenish-purple. They contain several seeds. The flesh is sweet.

Edible Uses

The fruit is usually eaten raw but is also used in pies, tarts, jellies, and salads, and makes an excellent jam. Fully ripe fruit is sweet and much enjoyed by children, though it is somewhat astringent before reaching full maturity. In Cambodia and Vietnam, fermented fruit is made into an alcoholic wine-like drink called 'ruou sim' (myrtle wine). In Vietnam, the fruits are also freshly canned with syrup for export. The purple, oblong fruit is up to 15mm long and 10mm wide.

Traditional Uses

The fleshy layer of the fruit is eaten raw. It is also cooked and used in pies and jam. They are also preserved.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The fruit has been used as a treatment for dysentery and diarrhoea. A decoction of the roots or leaves is drunk for diarrhoea and stomachache, and as a protective medicine after childbirth. A decoction or extracted juice of the buds and young leaves is beneficial for colic, diarrhoea, dysentery, abscesses, furunculosis, and haemorrhage. A concentrated leaf decoction serves as an antiseptic wash for wounds, impetigo, and abscesses. Crushed leaves are applied directly to dress wounds.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It suits cool tropical and subtropical conditions. It grows in shrubby savannas. It grows in wet forests up to 2,400 m above sea level. Found only in northern Luzon and the Babuyanes islands in the Philippines. It can tolerate wet soil conditions. It can grow in acid soils with pH 4-5. It cannot tolerate frost. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia*, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. It can also be grown by division of the plant. It can be grown by cuttings.

Propagation

Seed is best sown fresh, with the seed removed from the fruit pulp before sowing. Propagation is also possible from cuttings or by division of crowns.

Other Uses

Within its native range, R. tomentosa is a fast-growing early successional species that is fire-adapted and sprouts prolifically after fire. It has shown promise as a fire-retardant species for use in firebreaks in the Himalayas. Wood tar from the plant can serve as a black dye and has been used to blacken teeth and eyebrows. The plant is cultivated both as an ornamental and for its edible berries, though it is more commonly grown for its ornamental value and attractive flowers. In southern China it has been tested in restoration plantings to provide shade for slower-growing native species. The fruit also serves as a food source for animals and birds.

Production

It produces fruit in 3-4 years. Fruit mature in 60 days.

Other Information

The fruit are sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Notes

It can be invasive.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bekakangal, Dayopod-mabolo, Downy myrtle, Downy rhodomyrtus, Downy rosemyrtle, Harendong sabrang, Hill-gooseberry, Kamuting, Karamunting, Kemuntian, Kemunting, Kemuting, Keramunsing, Keramunting, Keremunting, Koratta, Phruat, Phruat-kinluk, Pouch uol, Pourch, Puech, Puoch, Rose myrtle, Sim, Thabutu pazham, Thoh, To, Trobek-prey, Tu-pruet

References (43)

• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 84
• Ashton, M. S., et al 1997, A Field Guide to the Common Trees and Shrubs of Sri Lanka. WHT Publications Ltd. pdf p 295
• Brown, W.H., 1920, Wild Food Plants of the Philippines. Bureau of Forestry Bulletin No. 21 Manila. p 140
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 1937
• Cengel, D. J. & Dany, C., (Eds), 2016, Integrating Forest Biodiversity Resource Management and Sustainable Community Livelihood Development in the Preah Vihear Protected Forest. International Tropical Timber Organization p 123

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