Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

At a glance

Origin / distribution: China, Malaya, Java

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Arthritis, Astringent, Corneosis, Dysentery

Science studied: BETULIN, BETULINIC-ACID

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Myrtaceae

Scientific name: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

Common names: Ceylon hill gooseberry, Ceylon hill-cherry, Isenberg bush, Karamuntiang, Karamunting, Kemunting, Keramunting, Rose myrtle, Sim, downy myrtle, downy rose myrtle

POWO: 77560-3 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in China, Malaya, Java.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Arthritis
• Astringent
• Corneosis
• Dysentery
• Parturition
• Rheumatism
• Ache(Stomach)
• Wound

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• China
• Malaya
• Java

Documented cultural uses

• Arthritis
• Astringent
• Corneosis
• Dysentery
• Parturition
• Rheumatism
• Ache(Stomach)
• Wound
• Diarrhea
• Carminative

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Arthritis · China · "
• Astringent · China · "
• Corneosis · Malaya · "
• Dysentery · Malaya · "
• Parturition · Malaya · "
• Rheumatism · China · "
• Ache(Stomach) · Malaya · "
• Wound · Java · "
• Diarrhea · China · "
• Carminative · China · "

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Cytocompatibility and antibacterial activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. · 2026 source ↗
• Rhodotomentotrimers G-I, antibacterial acylphloroglucinol trimers from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. · 2026 source ↗
• Antifungal and wound healing potential of PE fraction from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa fruit in a murine model of cutaneous Candida albicans infection. · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• BETULIN
• BETULINIC-ACID

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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