Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Soland. ex Aiton) Hassk. (MYRTACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Kemunting, Rose Myrtle

Description

Evergreen shrub or treelet. Leaves 2.5-9 cm long, opposite, lanceolate to elliptic. Flowers in axillary clusters of 3, c. 1.7-2 cm across, pink, white. Fruits ellipsoid with persistent calyx, c. 15 mm long.

Ecology

Common in degraded land, on sandy soils and sandy seashores to 1000 m.

Distribution

S and SE Asia to Australia and New Caledonia.

Uses

Fruits are edible and can be made into jams. Occasionally planted as ornamental.