Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, commonly known as Rose Myrtle, is a versatile evergreen shrub prized for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Rich in bioactive compounds like flavonoids and tannins, it is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, offering significant therapeutic potential in modern herbal pharmacology and wellness.
- Scientific name: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Myrtalees, and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rhodomyrtus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Myrtaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rhodomyrtus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Rhodomyrtus tomentoza, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic and cultural contexts. In Chinese-speaking regions, it is referred to as 桃金娘 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and in Hong Kong (zh-hk). In Indonesia, the species is widely known as Kemunting (id), while in Japan, it is commonly called テンニンカ (ja).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 桃金娘 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 桃金娘 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 桃金娘 | Wikidata |
| id | Kemunting | Wikidata |
| ja | テンニンカ | Wikidata |
| vi | Sim | Wikidata |
| ru | Родомирт опушённый | Wikidata |
| ko | 도금양 | Wikidata |
| zh | 桃金娘 | Wikidata |
| ml | തവിട്ടുമരം | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is commonly found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its distribution extends into Eastern Asia, specifically encompassing Taiwan and the Nansei-shoto islands. Furthermore, the species can be located within the Indian Subcontinent, particularly in India. Together, these locations highlight the diverse range in which the plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Rhodomyrtus tomentoza, is a versatile medicinal shrub where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The thick, leathery leaves are particularly significant, as each individual leaf contains bioactive compounds that contribute to its healing potential. Researchers often focus on the chemical profile of the leaf extracts, as a concentrated leaf extract can be processed to treat various ailments. Additionally, the woody twigs are sometimes incorporated into traditional preparations, making the entire structure of the plant a valuable resource in herbal medicine.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 19
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaf | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fleshy-fruited tree | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rhodomyrtone, 1a, 2a, 2b, 3a.
- Total chemicals
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhodomyrtone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 1a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2b | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3b | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5b | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa has 9 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiatherosclerotic, Antibiotic, Antihypercholesterolemic, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiatherosclerotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibiotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypercholesterolemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunostimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Gram-positive bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus iniae.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus agalactiae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus iniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vibrio | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |