Kauaʻi record · kba_plant_rhodomyrtus_tomentosa
Rose Myrtle
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
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About Rose Myrtle
Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) is an introduced tree documented on Kauaʻi by Bishop Museum’s 2025 checklist and the 2026 Smithsonian checklist. Its checklist classification is naturalized; current extent is unassessed. Native to southern and southeastern Asia in grassland, thickets, slopes, and disturbed forest. Many-seeded fleshy berries enable animal dispersal. Bishop Museum and Smithsonian document naturalized Kauaʻi occurrence; the reviewed evidence does not quantify current population extent or impact.
Kauaʻi evidence
Taxonomic identity, tree form, diagnostic morphology and island occurrence use the linked reviewed sources. Historical planting, cultivation, naturalization and invasive status are separate. Generated imagery is not occurrence evidence.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
- Common names
- Rose Myrtle · Downy myrtle
- Other names
- Rhodomyrtus tomentosa · Rose myrtle · Downy myrtle
- Record type
- Species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Recorded on Kauaʻi
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence date
- 2026-10-06
- Evidence limits
- Present island-wide abundance, occupied habitat, recruitment, population trend, and ecological effects have not been quantified; no invasive severity is inferred from checklist or forestry status.
Habitat and ecology
- Habitats
- Not yet assessed
- Food and resource needs
- Not yet assessed
- Reproduction
- Large flowers require pollination and produce many-seeded purple berries. Birds and mammals can move seeds, and disturbed open ground supports establishment; local dispersers and recruitment rates are unknown.
- Shelter
- Not yet assessed
- Growth form
- Shrub or small tree
Threats and conservation
- Monitoring
- Not yet assessed
- Data gaps
- Current population extent and trajectory · Additional species-specific ecological and conservation sources
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal timing
- Not yet assessed
- Seasonal description
- Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) is an introduced tree documented on Kauaʻi by Bishop Museum’s 2025 checklist and the 2026 Smithsonian checklist. Its checklist classification is naturalized; current extent is unassessed. Native to southern and southeastern Asia in grassland, thickets, slopes, and disturbed forest. Many-seeded fleshy berries enable animal dispersal. Bishop Museum and Smithsonian document naturalized Kauaʻi occurrence; the reviewed evidence does not quantify current population extent or impact.
Sources and further reading
- https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77560-3
- https://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200014812
- https://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/publications/pdf/tr75.pdf
- https://editedimages.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Imadaetal.2025Hawaiianvascularplants.xlsx
- https://doi.org/10.5479/si.32124043