Rhodamnia spp.

Australia, Southeast Asia, and the western Pacific

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Rhodamnia spp. is a genus of about 30 evergreen shrubs and trees in the family Myrtaceae, native to rainforests of Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, including Rhodamnia rubescens and Rhodamnia argentea. Plants range from shrubs a few feet tall to trees 30-65 feet (9-20 m) high, with smooth to fibrous bark and opposite leaves marked by three main veins running from base to tip, often silvery-hairy beneath. The leaves are 1.5-5 inches (4-13 cm) long, leathery, and aromatic when crushed. White flowers 0.3-0.8 inch (8-20 mm) across have many spreading stamens and open mainly in spring and summer, singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils. Rounded berries follow, ripening from red through purple to black and 0.2-0.5 inch (5-12 mm) wide, eaten by birds. Growth is moderate in warm, humid conditions, and plants are damaged by frost. Several species, including Rhodamnia rubescens, have declined sharply from myrtle rust, a fungal disease that attacks new growth and can kill plants. Foliage and stems are sensitive to cold, and growth slows in dry soils.

Native Range

Rhodamnia spp. is native to eastern Australia, Southeast Asia, and the western Pacific, growing in rainforest, moist eucalypt forest, and forest margins. Rhodamnia rubescens occurs along the east coast of Australia from Queensland to New South Wales in warm, humid forest on a range of soils, often near the coast.

Suggested Uses

Grown in subtropical and warm-temperate gardens as a screen, hedge, and rainforest-effect shrub or small tree, spaced 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) apart by species. The aromatic foliage and bird-attracting berries suit native and wildlife plantings. Susceptibility to myrtle rust limits use in regions where the disease is established.

How to Identify

Recognized by opposite, leathery leaves with three main veins running lengthwise and a silvery-hairy underside, aromatic when crushed. White flowers with many spreading stamens give way to rounded berries that ripen red, purple, then black. The three-veined leaves and dark berries separate Rhodamnia spp. from related myrtles such as Rhodomyrtus spp., which has thicker, ribbed berries.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 65'

Width/Spread6' - 25'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer, varying with species and region. White, many-stamened flowers open in the leaf axils over several weeks. Berries follow through summer and autumn, ripening from red to black on the plant.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green, silvery beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained, fertile soils in warm, frost-free climates. Water regularly while establishing and during dry spells, since the plants prefer steady moisture and slow in dry ground. Frost damages foliage and young stems, so a sheltered, mild site suits them. Myrtle rust is a serious threat, attacking new shoots, flowers, and fruit with yellow spores and disfiguring or killing susceptible plants. Reducing overhead wetting and crowded, humid growth lowers rust pressure. Mulch and light feeding in spring support growth.

Pruning

Trim after flowering to shape the plant or maintain a hedge, cutting back to a leaf node. Remove dead, frost-damaged, or rust-affected growth as it appears. Plants resprout from older wood, allowing harder renewal pruning when needed.