Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (tree, shrub)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

Management Information Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared by Dr. Curtis Daehler (UH Botany) with funding from the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program and US Forest Service. The alien plant screening system is derived from Pheloung et al. (1999) with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands (Daehler et al. 2004). The result is a score of 8 and a recommendation of: "Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or other parts of the world." Integrated management: Seedlings can be manually removed. Mature shrubs may be felled using a chainsaw or brush cutter and treating the stumps with a commercial herbicide (Stocker and Possley 2001).          Location Specific Management Information French Polynesia (Polynésie Française)   Decree No. 65 CM of January 23, 2006 presents a list of 35 invasive plants declared to be "Species that threaten biodiversity", one of which is Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. These plants are subject to a ban on new imports, propagation and planting, and prohibition of transfer from one island to another of any whole plant, fragment of plant, cutting, fruit or seed. Their destruction is permitted.          Management Resources/Links 1. Collier County Natural Resources Department, Florida - Exotic plants management Downey Rosemyrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosus).         Summary: Good images, very brief notes, including some on management. Available from: http://co.collier.fl.us/natresources/exotics/drm.htm [Accessed 27 May, 2003]. 2. Daehler, C.C; Denslow, J.S; Ansari, S and Huang-Chi, K., 2004. A Risk-Assessment System for Screening Out Invasive Pest Plants from Hawaii and Other Pacific Islands. Conservation Biology Volume 18 Issue 2 Page 360.         Summary: A study on the use of a screening system to assess proposed plant introductions to Hawaii or other Pacific Islands and to identify high-risk species used in horticulture and forestry which would greatly reduce future pest-plant problems and allow entry of most nonpests. 3. PIER (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk), 2002. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa         Summary: Ecology, synonyms, common names, distributions (Pacific as well as global), management and impact information.. Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/rhodomyrtus_tomentosa.htm [Accessed 5 February 2003]. 4. Possley, J., K. Kitajima and R.K. Stocker. In press. Seasonal allocation of carbohydrates in an invasive Florida shrub: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. Florida Scientist.         Summary: Condensed version of masters thesis includes description of phenology, growth, and carbohydrate allocation of this species in a Florida pine flatwoods. Includes management recommendations. 5. Stocker, R.K., and Possley, J. 2001. Comparing application methods and herbicides for control of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. Ecological Restoration 19(1):34-36.         Summary: Examination of several common herbicides and three different application methods (foliar spray, hack-and-squirt, and basal bark). Includes management recommendations, black and white photographs, and line drawing.          Results Page: 1