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Downy Rose MyrtleRhodomyrtus tomentosa |
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Relatively little is known about the biology and control of downy rose myrtle. The fast-growing
plant spreads by seed drop and research shows that it does not
spread vegetatively. It is also spread by birds and mammals, which consume its many
blueberry-like fruits. The plant can withstand slight freezes and low salinity. Apparently
"fire-adapted",
downy rose myrtle resprouts prolifically after fires. Some humans reportedly harvest the fruit to
make jam.
How To Identify Downy Rose Myrtle
Downy rose myrtle is an evergreen shrub that usually grows to 6 feet
tall, but occasionally to 12 feet tall. It can grow into large monocultures. Its leaves are
opposite, simple,
entire, elliptic-oval, to 3 in. long. The leaves are glossy green above and densely soft-hairy
below, with 3 main veins from blade base. Downy rose myrtle flowers profusely in the spring.
The flowers are rose-pink, to 1 in. across, in one-to few-flowered clusters at the leaf axils. The
fruit is a bluish-purple globose berry about 1/2 in. across, that looks similar to blueberry but
more oblong.
For more information and pictures about downy rose
myrtle, as
contained in the
Langeland/Burks book, Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural
Areas, download this Acrobat .PDF file.
University of Florida researchers are
investigating Rhodomyrtus tomentosa's role in Florida ecosystems, especially its
seed germination and life history (flower, fruit and seed set phenology), and how it reacts to fire.
The UF/IFAS Assessment lists plants according to their invasive status in Florida. View the list here.
Click here
to see the herbarium specimen image of the
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HERBARIUM DIGITAL IMAGING PROJECTS.
University of Florida, IFAS,
Center for
Aquatic and Invasive
Plants
St. Johns River
Water Management
District