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Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

(Aiton) Hassk. (1842)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Myrtales Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Rhodomyrtus

downy myrtle, downy rose myrtle, hill guava, rose myrtle

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Small shrubs or trees to 2–3 m tall.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades elliptic to ovate–elliptic or obovate–elliptic, 5–8 cm long, 1.5–4 cm wide. Upper surfaces glossy and glabrate; lower surfaces densely tomentose; blades coriaceous. Margins entire. 3(–5)-veined. Petioles 0.4–1 cm long. Stipules vestigial or absent.

Flowers: Flowers 1–5 in axillary cymes, each one subtended by 2 small bracts. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Hypanthium well–developed above ovary. Calyx of 5 sepals, persistent, orbicular, 3–4 mm long, tomentose. Petals rose pink, ca. 10–13 mm long. Stamens numerous, shorter than the petals, distinct; anthers dithecal. Ovary inferior, 1–3-celled, appearing to have 2, 4, or 6 cells by false partitions; ovules placentation axile; style terminal, simple.

Fruit: Berries dark purple; ellipsoid; ca. 12 mm long; capped by persistent calyx. Seeds few; compressed.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Disturbed mesic forest to wet forest; rarely bog margins.

Elevation Range: 200–640 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Flora 25(2, Beibl.): 35 (1842)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:972 (K, O, H); Staples et al. 2002:13 (L); Staples & Herbst 2005:417 (KEY), 431 (DESCR); Starr & Starr 2013a:35 (EM); Degener 28503 BISH (L†, 1963); Penniman et al. 2011/Mike Ade pers. comm. 2025 (M†, 2002)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Above Lihue Preserved_Specimen Shrub, flowers red. Caum, E.L. 102 Kauai BISH 1928-01-30
2 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kapano Gulch, NW side Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28503 Lanai BISH 1963-07-28
3 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Haiku Rd, near Hogback Rd, E wall of Pauwela gulch HUMAN_OBSERVATION Action Method: Ground; Method: Unknown; Correction: N/A; Comment: Maui Invasive Species Committee Maui HAPI 6/17/2002
4 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kapaa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Action Method: Ground; Method: Mapping Grade; Correction: Differential Corrected; Comment: GPS Maui Invasive Species Committee Kauai HAPI 7/26/2004
5 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Nonou Mts Preserved_Specimen Montgomery, S.L. 2 Kauai BISH 1970-07-20
6 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Honolulu, Aina Haina Preserved_Specimen petals 5, light pink, filaments and pistil pink, anthers yellow. Brodie, H. Oahu BISH 1962-05-25
7 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kaneohe, plant nursery Preserved_Specimen Lvs in 3's. Kumabe, B. Oahu BISH 1963-04-05
8 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wailua Falls, by rd near falls Preserved_Specimen Flowers pink-purple. Williamson, E. Kauai BISH 1963-07-24
9 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koloa District; Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve: Wahiawa Stream & drainage; ESE of main Wahiawa Stream heading up 2 unnamed gulches to ridge connecting Kahili and Kapalaoa Peaks Low wet forest dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha, Syzygium sandwicensis, Antidesma, Tetraplasandra, Cheirodendron, Psychotria w. a understory rich in shrubs, ferns & Cyrtandra. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2m ht, lvs discolorous; petals pink. Lorence, D.H. 6696 Kauai BISH 1991-01-29
10 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Along Kilohana Crater Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 17294 Kauai BISH 1920-01-31
11 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koloa District, main cane rd to Kahili Mountain Park, ca. 1mi N of Hwy 50 Abandoned Litchi plantation w. Eucalyptus robusta and Lophostemon plantings. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 2-3m ht; petals pink. Lorence, D.H. 5143 Kauai BISH 1987-04-03
12 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kilohana Crater On slopes. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2-3m ht flowers purple. Bryan Jr., E.H. 627 Kauai BISH 1928-07-07
13 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Haiku Stairs, crest of secondary ridge near stairs Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3041 Oahu BISH 1986-11-27
14 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa E slope of Kilohana Crater Preserved_Specimen Kauai BISH 1926-06-10
15 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Haiku Stairway Preserved_Specimen Kikukawa, H. Oahu BISH 1988-07-29
16 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Honolulu, Aina Haina Preserved_Specimen Miyashiro, Y. Oahu BISH 1961-09-27
17 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Preserved_Specimen Vollrath, H. Kauai BISH 1934-02-17
18 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa In depression below Morita Reservoir Cattle may wonder in this area periodically. Preserved_Specimen Tree. Corn, C. 824 Kauai BISH 1982-04-30
19 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa East Maui, Makawao District, Haiku Rd, near Hogback Rd, E wall of Pauwela gulch On mauka side of rd, on side of steep bank. Associated vegetation: Java plum, FIcus microcarpa, Pennisetum purpureum. Preserved_Specimen Small tree, 2-3m ht w. some larger; foliage white tomentose below, margins entire. Flowers pink; fruit green turning purple, like small guavas, some appeared to be nibbled on. Starr, F. 201091 Maui BISH 2002-01-09
20 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kurtistown In young seral ohia forest on pahoehoe. Preserved_Specimen Flower pinkish; fruit purple with white tomentum. Gagné, W.C. 705 Hawaii BISH 1976-03-07
21 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Below Morita Reservoir In depression below reservoir. Cattle may wander into this area periodically. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. 824 Kauai BISH 1982-04-30
22 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Waimea District. Nuololo trail Metrosideros-Acacia mesic forest with Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Wikstroemia furcata, Alphitonia ponderosa, Dodonaea viscosa, Bobea brevipes, Melicope ovata, M. barbigera, & M. anisata, Psychotria greenwelliae, P. mariniana, Xylosma Preserved_Specimen invasive shrub along trail Wood, K.R. 15028 Kauai BISH 2012-06-06
23 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa kanaele Swamp (Wahiawa Bog) Near margins of bog. Preserved_Specimen Scattered. Wagner, W.L. 4988 Kauai BISH 1983-08-27
24 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Northern part of Kalepa Ridge Windward side of ridge. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-20
25 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koolau Mts, Waimano loop trail. Full sun in highly eroded disturbed red dirt in dry forest along access trail. Associates; Psidium cattleyanum, Syzygium cumini, Eucalytpus sp., Albizia sp., Wikstroemia oahuensis, Melinis minutiflora, Waltheria indica, Dodonaea viscosa Preserved_Specimen New growth flushing silver with hairs on both sides. Dropping the hairs on upper surface as it matures. Plants affected by Myrtle rust. Bark smooth and very white. Most fruits aborted however few ripening taste like raspberry. K. Arthur 193 Oahu BISH 2025-10-30
26 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Off dirt rd 2.1mi NW of Wailua Experimnet Station, Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve Assoc. w. Melastoma, Dicranopteris and w. Albizia-Hibiscus overstory. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 7ft. Ishikawa, S. 271 Kauai BISH 1973-08-20
27 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koolau Mountains, Haiku Valley, crest of E ridge, near Keahiakahoe Uncommon in Native vegetation. Preserved_Specimen Windswept shrub 1-2m ht. Flowers deep pink, fading w. age. Nagata, K.M. 3306 Oahu BISH 1985-07-16
28 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Waialae Iki ridge (Wiliwilinui), E side Along dirt road w/koa-ohia-strawberry guava. Preserved_Specimen Plant cut low to the ground by unknown person; regrowth less than 0.5 m high; multi-stemmed to ground; buds only; no frt. Conant, P. Oahu BISH 1996-01-19
29 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula Botanical garden with wide variety of plants Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 8021902 Maui BISH 2008-02-19
30 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Pearl City, 1555 Hoolaulea, UTM 607760, 2366977 Mesic lowland roadside garden. Preserved_Specimen Small shrub to .5 m tall. Petals bright pink w/ numerous stamens. OED 20080415 Oahu BISH 2009-04-15
31 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Schofield Barracks, East Range Non-native vegetation with scattered Acacia koa in gulches. Preserved_Specimen Mosher, S. 15 Oahu BISH 2005-04-18
32 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wailua Game Reserve, above Wailua Stockpile of topsoil. Vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxite ore in 1958-60. Preserved_Specimen Compact 6' shrub; lvs gray below; flowers pink aging white; fr purple-black, many-seeded. Howard, R.A. 20174 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
33 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kilohana Crater, Lihue Among Melastoma trees. Preserved_Specimen Trees 5-10ft ht. Flowers pink. Hosaka, E.Y. 1674 Kauai BISH 1936-11-16
34 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Above Lihue Preserved_Specimen Shrub, flowers red. Caum, E.L. 102 Kauai BISH 1928-01-30
35 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kapano Gulch, NW side Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28503 Lanai BISH 1963-07-28
36 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Haiku Rd, near Hogback Rd, E wall of Pauwela gulch HUMAN_OBSERVATION Action Method: Ground; Method: Unknown; Correction: N/A; Comment: Maui Invasive Species Committee Maui HAPI 6/17/2002
37 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kapaa HUMAN_OBSERVATION Action Method: Ground; Method: Mapping Grade; Correction: Differential Corrected; Comment: GPS Maui Invasive Species Committee Kauai HAPI 7/26/2004
38 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Nonou Mts Preserved_Specimen Montgomery, S.L. 2 Kauai BISH 1970-07-20
39 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Honolulu, Aina Haina Preserved_Specimen petals 5, light pink, filaments and pistil pink, anthers yellow. Brodie, H. Oahu BISH 1962-05-25
40 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kaneohe, plant nursery Preserved_Specimen Lvs in 3's. Kumabe, B. Oahu BISH 1963-04-05
41 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wailua Falls, by rd near falls Preserved_Specimen Flowers pink-purple. Williamson, E. Kauai BISH 1963-07-24
42 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koloa District; Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve: Wahiawa Stream & drainage; ESE of main Wahiawa Stream heading up 2 unnamed gulches to ridge connecting Kahili and Kapalaoa Peaks Low wet forest dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha, Syzygium sandwicensis, Antidesma, Tetraplasandra, Cheirodendron, Psychotria w. a understory rich in shrubs, ferns & Cyrtandra. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2m ht, lvs discolorous; petals pink. Lorence, D.H. 6696 Kauai BISH 1991-01-29
43 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Along Kilohana Crater Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 17294 Kauai BISH 1920-01-31
44 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koloa District, main cane rd to Kahili Mountain Park, ca. 1mi N of Hwy 50 Abandoned Litchi plantation w. Eucalyptus robusta and Lophostemon plantings. Preserved_Specimen Small tree 2-3m ht; petals pink. Lorence, D.H. 5143 Kauai BISH 1987-04-03
45 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kilohana Crater On slopes. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2-3m ht flowers purple. Bryan Jr., E.H. 627 Kauai BISH 1928-07-07
46 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Haiku Stairs, crest of secondary ridge near stairs Preserved_Specimen Takeuchi, W.N. 3041 Oahu BISH 1986-11-27
47 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa E slope of Kilohana Crater Preserved_Specimen Kauai BISH 1926-06-10
48 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Haiku Stairway Preserved_Specimen Kikukawa, H. Oahu BISH 1988-07-29
49 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Honolulu, Aina Haina Preserved_Specimen Miyashiro, Y. Oahu BISH 1961-09-27
50 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Preserved_Specimen Vollrath, H. Kauai BISH 1934-02-17
51 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa In depression below Morita Reservoir Cattle may wonder in this area periodically. Preserved_Specimen Tree. Corn, C. 824 Kauai BISH 1982-04-30
52 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa East Maui, Makawao District, Haiku Rd, near Hogback Rd, E wall of Pauwela gulch On mauka side of rd, on side of steep bank. Associated vegetation: Java plum, FIcus microcarpa, Pennisetum purpureum. Preserved_Specimen Small tree, 2-3m ht w. some larger; foliage white tomentose below, margins entire. Flowers pink; fruit green turning purple, like small guavas, some appeared to be nibbled on. Starr, F. 201091 Maui BISH 2002-01-09
53 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kurtistown In young seral ohia forest on pahoehoe. Preserved_Specimen Flower pinkish; fruit purple with white tomentum. Gagné, W.C. 705 Hawaii BISH 1976-03-07
54 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Below Morita Reservoir In depression below reservoir. Cattle may wander into this area periodically. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. 824 Kauai BISH 1982-04-30
55 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Waimea District. Nuololo trail Metrosideros-Acacia mesic forest with Leptecophylla tameiameiae, Wikstroemia furcata, Alphitonia ponderosa, Dodonaea viscosa, Bobea brevipes, Melicope ovata, M. barbigera, & M. anisata, Psychotria greenwelliae, P. mariniana, Xylosma Preserved_Specimen invasive shrub along trail Wood, K.R. 15028 Kauai BISH 2012-06-06
56 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa kanaele Swamp (Wahiawa Bog) Near margins of bog. Preserved_Specimen Scattered. Wagner, W.L. 4988 Kauai BISH 1983-08-27
57 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Northern part of Kalepa Ridge Windward side of ridge. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-20
58 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koolau Mts, Waimano loop trail. Full sun in highly eroded disturbed red dirt in dry forest along access trail. Associates; Psidium cattleyanum, Syzygium cumini, Eucalytpus sp., Albizia sp., Wikstroemia oahuensis, Melinis minutiflora, Waltheria indica, Dodonaea viscosa Preserved_Specimen New growth flushing silver with hairs on both sides. Dropping the hairs on upper surface as it matures. Plants affected by Myrtle rust. Bark smooth and very white. Most fruits aborted however few ripening taste like raspberry. K. Arthur 193 Oahu BISH 2025-10-30
59 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Off dirt rd 2.1mi NW of Wailua Experimnet Station, Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve Assoc. w. Melastoma, Dicranopteris and w. Albizia-Hibiscus overstory. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 7ft. Ishikawa, S. 271 Kauai BISH 1973-08-20
60 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Koolau Mountains, Haiku Valley, crest of E ridge, near Keahiakahoe Uncommon in Native vegetation. Preserved_Specimen Windswept shrub 1-2m ht. Flowers deep pink, fading w. age. Nagata, K.M. 3306 Oahu BISH 1985-07-16
61 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Waialae Iki ridge (Wiliwilinui), E side Along dirt road w/koa-ohia-strawberry guava. Preserved_Specimen Plant cut low to the ground by unknown person; regrowth less than 0.5 m high; multi-stemmed to ground; buds only; no frt. Conant, P. Oahu BISH 1996-01-19
62 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Enchanting Floral Gardens of Kula Botanical garden with wide variety of plants Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 8021902 Maui BISH 2008-02-19
63 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Pearl City, 1555 Hoolaulea, UTM 607760, 2366977 Mesic lowland roadside garden. Preserved_Specimen Small shrub to .5 m tall. Petals bright pink w/ numerous stamens. OED 20080415 Oahu BISH 2009-04-15
64 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Schofield Barracks, East Range Non-native vegetation with scattered Acacia koa in gulches. Preserved_Specimen Mosher, S. 15 Oahu BISH 2005-04-18
65 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wailua Game Reserve, above Wailua Stockpile of topsoil. Vegetation on plots stripmined for bauxite ore in 1958-60. Preserved_Specimen Compact 6' shrub; lvs gray below; flowers pink aging white; fr purple-black, many-seeded. Howard, R.A. 20174 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
66 Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Kilohana Crater, Lihue Among Melastoma trees. Preserved_Specimen Trees 5-10ft ht. Flowers pink. Hosaka, E.Y. 1674 Kauai BISH 1936-11-16
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