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Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk.
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae |
| Common Name: | Kemunting, Rose Myrtle, 桃金娘 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
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Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China to India & S.E.A |
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| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an evergreen shrub, up to 3 m tall. |
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| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves have leaf blades that are oblong, sparsely white woolly below when young, and 2.5-10 by 1.3-4.5 cm, with three distinct longitudinal veins. |
| Flowers | Its 3-4.5 cm wide flowers have magenta pink petals that fade white, and with numerous stamens at the centre of the flower, which makes it resemble a cherry blossom. |
| Fruit | Its 1-1.3 cm velvety fruits are oblong, purplish when ripe, with persistent sepals at the tip, and contain many tiny seeds embedded in the purplish pulp. |
| Habitat | It grows along sandy riverbanks, seashores, and open sandy sites. In Singapore, it is also found in Adinandra belukar (secondary forests on degraded soil) and in coastal vegetation. |
| Associated Fauna | Its fruits are eaten by many bird species. It is also the food plant for the caterpillars of the moths Carea varipes and Trabala vishnou. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated from seed. |
| Etymology | Latin rhodo, rose, Latin myrtus, myrtle, referring to the rose-like flowers of the plant which belongs to the myrtle family. Latin tomentosa, with flattened hairs, referring to the texture of the leaves. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The sweet, edible fruits can be made into jams or tarts. In Vietnam, the fruits are used to produce a local wine called ruou sim. Medicinal: The fruits are used for treating diarrhoea and dysentery. Wood tar from combination of it with coconuts shells can be used to blacken teeth and eyebrows. The crushed leaves are used to bandage wounds. Diarrhoea and stomach-ache is treated with a decoction of the roots or leaves. The decoction can also be used as restorative medicine after childbirth. Timber & Products: The fine-grained timber can be used for making very small objects. Others: This is a very popular plant which is easy to grow and produces beautiful flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting along streetscapes, parks, gardens and coastal areas for its attractive cherry blossom-like flowers and its adaptability to hot and dry environmental conditions. |
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| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline, Hedge / Screening, Flowerbed / Border |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Poor Infertile Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
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| Flower Location | Axillary |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple |
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| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1095 |
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| Species ID | 2388 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |