Rhodomyrtus tomentosa or the Rose Myrtle
(known as kemunting in Malaysia) is a woody plant with pink flowers. It is commonly found
especially in the open sandy ground on the seashore/river sandy banks. Its shrub is about 3 metre tall. Its leaves
are ovate, leathery & about 4-6 cm in length. The fruits (berries) are
oblong, topped by persistent sepals & ripening to purple. The fleshy berry
is sweet & aromatic. The plant
belongs to the family of Myrtaceae; same family with Malaysian jambu air (Eugenia spp.) & gelam
(Melaleuca spp.). The plant is very
free-flowering & grows abundantly. The fruits are also can be used to treat dysentery
& diarrhoea. In fact, its leaves can be used to heal the wounds.
