Rhodomyrtus is a group of shrubs and trees in the family Myrtaceae, described as a genus in 1841 and native to southern China, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Melanesia, and Australia.[2][3][4]

Rhodomyrtus
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa in Phnom Bokor National Park, Cambodia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Subfamily: Myrtoideae
Tribe: Myrteae
Genus: Rhodomyrtus
(DC.) Rchb.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Cynomyrtus Scriv.
  • Psidiomyrtus Guillaumin

Its greatest levels of diversity are in New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Snow et al. confirmed in 2008 that the genus is polyphyletic, i.e. it includes taxa that do not have a common predecessor, and they recommended more detailed DNA studies to determine if and how it should be split into two or more smaller monophyletic genera.[5]: 703, 704 

Species

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As of November 2024, Plants of the World Online accepts the following 22 species:[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Rchb". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  2. ^ Reichenbach, H.G. Ludwig (1841). Das Herbarienbuch (in German). Dresden: Arnoldischen Buchhandlung. p. 117.
  3. ^ "Rhodomyrtus". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Rchb". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  5. ^ Snow, N.; McFadden, J.; Atwood, J.P. (2008). "Three new species of Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Rchb. (Myrtaceae) from Papua New Guinea". Austrobaileya. 7 (4): 691–706. doi:10.5962/p.299765. JSTOR 41739090.