Myrtaceae A.L. de Jussieu. Common name: Myrtle Family.
A family of about 100-142 genera and 3500-5500 species, trees and shrubs, nearly worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas.
ID notes: The Myrtle family includes subshrubs, shrubs, and trees and is a family primarily of the subtropics and tropics. Save for a handful of (mostly or all) native genera (Eugenia, Mosiera, Myrcia, Myrcianthes; primarily extensions of a broader Caribbean flora), and a few well-established (Melaleuca quinquenervia), and incipient invasives (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa), the Myrtaceae consists of mostly non-natives with sparse establishment into natural areas. A few genera contain species grown for consumption (Pimenta, Psidium, Syzygium) or use in horticulture (Eucalyptus, Melaleuca).
Distinguishing characters of the family include glandular punctate, aromatic leaves (these often coriaceous and evergreen), ovary inferior (flowers epigynous), and flowers with numerous stamens and a cup-shaped hypanthium, and fruit fleshy berries or dry capsules.
References: Wilson (1960c); Wilson In Kubitzki (2011). Show full citations.
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© Keith Bradley | Myrcianthes | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Syzygium | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Pimenta | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward | Corymbia torelliana source | Original Image ⭷
© Jay Horn | Rhodomyrtus tomentosa var. tomentosa source | Original Image ⭷
© Eric M Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric M Powell | Psidium cattleyanum source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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