Rhodomyrtus psidioides (MYRTACEAE) Native Guava

Plants to Plant

A shrubby tree to 12 m in wet sclerophyl and dry rainforest. This is one of the less well-known of our Enoggera species and one well worth cultivating. The young shoots are covered with fine hairs giving them a brown velvety appearance. Leaves are opposite, sometimes in threes, with very distinct veins, oil dots and pleasantly aromatic when crushed. In the same family as Eucalypts and Syzygiums.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Flowers

White flowers in spring and summer. The fruit is edible, though not highly thought of, being very ordinary tasting and filled with wedge-shaped seeds. Seeds can be sown fresh with the pulp, germinating in about six weeks. Cuttings strike easily.
Photo: Robert Whyte

Myrtle Rust

This specimen of Rhodomyrtus psidioides was observed in February 2023 during the final of five botanical walks to map remnant rainforest species in The Gap.

The plant had been badly knocked about by 2022 flooding and Myrtle Rust Austropuccinia_psidii. More information about Myrtle Rust.

Rhodomyrtus psidioides is rarely seen and considered critically endangered.

Photo: Ed Bennett