Myrtaceae m ə r ˈ t eɪ s i ˌ aɪ s iː ˌ iː the myrtle family is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order

Myrtaceae (/mərˈteɪsiˌaɪ, -siːˌiː/), the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pōhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All species are woody, contain essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. The leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually entire (i.e., without a toothed margin). The flowers have a base number of five petals, though in several genera, the petals are minute or absent. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured, and numerous.

Myrtaceae Temporal range: Santonian - recent PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N

Myrtus communis foliage and flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae Juss.
Genera
About 130; see list

Evolutionary history

Scientists hypothesize that the family Myrtaceae arose between 60 and 56 million years ago (Mya) during the Paleocene era. Pollen fossils have been sourced to the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. The breakup of Gondwana during the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 Mya) geographically isolated disjunct taxa and allowed for rapid speciation; in particular, genera once considered members of the now-defunct Leptospermoideae alliance are now isolated within Oceania. Generally, experts agree that vicariance is responsible for the differentiation of Myrtaceae taxa, except in the cases of Leptospermum species now located on New Zealand and New Caledonia, islands which may have been submerged at the time of late Eocene differentiation.

Diversity

Recent estimates suggest the Myrtaceae include about 5,950 species in about 132 genera. The family has a wide distribution in tropical and warm-temperate regions of the world, and is common in many of the world's biodiversity hotspots. Genera with capsular fruits such as Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Angophora, Leptospermum, and Melaleuca are absent from the Americas, apart from Metrosideros in Chile and Argentina. Genera with fleshy fruits have their greatest concentrations in eastern Australia and Malesia (the Australasian realm) and the Neotropics. Eucalyptus is a dominant, nearly ubiquitous genus in the more mesic parts of Australia and extends north sporadically to the Philippines. Eucalyptus regnans is the tallest flowering plant in the world. Other important Australian genera are Callistemon (bottlebrushes), Syzygium, and Melaleuca (paperbarks). Species of the genus Osbornia, native to Australasia, are mangroves. Eugenia, Myrcia, and Calyptranthes are among the larger genera in the neotropics.^{[citation needed]}

**Syzygium samarangense**, with a cross-section of the fruit

Historically, the Myrtaceae were divided into two subfamilies. Subfamily Myrtoideae (about 75 genera) was recognized as having fleshy fruits and opposite, entire leaves. Most genera in this subfamily have one of three easily recognized types of embryos. The genera of Myrtoideae can be very difficult to distinguish in the absence of mature fruits. Myrtoideae are found worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions, with centers of diversity in the Neotropics, northeastern Australia, and Malesia. In contrast, subfamily Leptospermoideae (about 80 genera) was recognized as having dry, dehiscent fruits (capsules) and leaves arranged spirally or alternate. The Leptospermoideae are found mostly in Australasia, with a centre of diversity in Australia. Many genera in Western Australia have greatly reduced leaves and flowers typical of dryer habitats.^{[citation needed]}

Taxonomy

The division of the Myrtaceae into Leptospermoideae and Myrtoideae was challenged by a number of authors, including Johnson and Briggs (1984), who identified 14 tribes or clades within Myrtaceae, and found Myrtoideae to be polyphyletic. Molecular studies by several groups of authors, as of 2008, have confirmed the baccate (fleshy) fruits evolved twice from capsular fruits and, as such, the two-subfamily classification does not accurately portray the phylogenetic history of the family. Thus, many workers are now using a recent analysis by Wilson et al. (2001) as a starting point for further analyses of the family. This study pronounced both Leptospermoideae and Myrtoideae invalid, but retained several smaller suballiances shown to be monophyletic through matK analysis.

The genera Heteropyxis and Psiloxylon have been separated as separate families by many authors in the past as Heteropyxidaceae and Psiloxylaceae. However, Wilson et al. included them in Myrtaceae. These two genera are presently believed to be the earliest arising and surviving lineages of Myrtaceae.

The most recent classification recognizes 17 tribes and two subfamilies, Myrtoideae and Psiloxyloideae, based on a phylogenetic analysis of plastid DNA.

Many new species are being described annually from throughout the range of Myrtaceae. Likewise, new genera are being described nearly yearly.^{[citation needed]}

Classification

Following Wilson (2011)

Subfamily Psiloxyloideae

tribe Psiloxyleae
tribe Heteropyxideae

Subfamily Myrtoideae

tribe Xanthostemoneae
tribe Lophostemoneae
tribe Osbornieae
tribe Melaleuceae
tribe Kanieae
tribe Backhousieae
tribe Metrosidereae
tribe Tristanieae
tribe Syzygieae
tribe Myrteae
tribe Eucalypteae
tribe Syncarpieae
tribe Lindsayomyrteae
tribe Leptospermeae
tribe Chamelaucieae

Genera

As of February 2025^[update], Plants of the World Online accepts the following 130 genera:

Acca O.Berg
Accara Landrum
Actinodium S.Schauer ex Schltdl.
Aggreflorum Peter G.Wilson
Agonis (DC.) Sweet
Algrizea Proença & NicLugh.
Allosyncarpia S.T.Blake
Aluta Rye & Trudgen
Amomyrtella Kausel
Amomyrtus (Burret) D.Legrand & Kausel
Angophora Cav.
Anticoryne Turcz.
Apectospermum Peter G.Wilson
Archirhodomyrtus (Nied.) Burret
Arillastrum Pancher ex Baill.
Astartea DC.
Asteromyrtus S.Schauer
Astus Trudgen & Rye
Austrobaeckea Rye
Austromyrtus (Nied.) Burret
Babingtonia Lindl.
Backhousia Hook. & Harv.
Baeckea L.
Balaustion Hook.
Barongia Peter G.Wilson & B.Hyland
Basisperma C.T.White
Blepharocalyx O.Berg
Calycolpus O.Berg
Calytrix Labill.
Campomanesia Ruiz & Pav.
Chamelaucium Desf.
Chamguava Landrum
Cheyniana Rye
Cloezia Brongn. & Gris
Corymbia K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson
Curitiba Salywon & Landrum
Cyathostemon Turcz.
Darwinia Rudge
Decaspermum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
Enekbatus Trudgen & Rye
Ericomyrtus Turcz.
Eucalyptopsis C.T.White
Eucalyptus L'Hér.
Eugenia P.Micheli ex L.
Euryomyrtus S.Schauer
Feijoa O.Berg
Gaudium Peter G.Wilson
Gossia N.Snow & Guymer
Harmogia S.Schauer
Heteropyxis Harv.
Homalocalyx F.Muell.
Homalospermum S.Schauer
Homoranthus A.Cunn. ex Schauer
Hypocalymma (Endl.) Endl.
Hysterobaeckea (Nied.) Rye
Kanakomyrtus N.Snow
Kania Schltr.
Kardomia Peter G.Wilson
Kjellbergiodendron Burret
Kunzea Rchb.
Legrandia Kausel
Lenwebbia N.Snow & Guymer
Leptospermopsis S.Moore
Leptospermum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
Lindsayomyrtus B.Hyland & Steenis
Lithomyrtus F.Muell.
Lophomyrtus Burret
Lophostemon Schott
Luma A.Gray
Lysicarpus F.Muell.
Malleostemon J.W.Green
Melaleuca L.
Metrosideros Banks ex Gaertn.
Micromyrtus Benth.
Mitrantia Peter G.Wilson & B.Hyland
Mosiera Small
Myrceugenia O.Berg
Myrcia DC. ex Guill.
Myrcianthes O.Berg
Myrciaria O.Berg
Myrrhinium Schott
Myrtastrum Burret
Myrtella F.Muell.
Myrteola O.Berg
Myrtus Tourn. ex L.
Neofabricia Joy Thomps.
Neomitranthes D.Legrand
Neomyrtus Burret
Nothomyrcia Kausel
Ochrosperma Trudgen
Octamyrtus Diels
Osbornia F.Muell.
Oxymyrrhine S.Schauer
Pericalymma (Endl.) Endl.
Pileanthus Labill.
Pilidiostigma Burret
Pimenta Lindl.
Pleurocalyptus Brongn. & Gris
Plinia Plum. ex L.
Psidium L.
Psiloxylon Thouars ex Tul.
Purpureostemon Gugerli
Rhodamnia Jack
Rhodomyrtus (DC.) Rchb.
Rinzia S.Schauer
Ristantia Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.
Sannantha Peter G.Wilson
Scholtzia S.Schauer
Seorsus Rye & Trudgen
Siphoneugena O.Berg
Sphaerantia Peter G.Wilson & B.Hyland
Stenostegia A.R.Bean
Stockwellia D.J.Carr, S.G.M.Carr & B.Hyland
Syncarpia Ten.
Syzygium Gaertn.
Taxandria (Benth.) J.R.Wheeler & N.G.Marchant
Temu O.Berg
Tetrapora S.Schauer
Thaleropia Peter G.Wilson
Thryptomene Endl.
Triplarina Raf.
Tristania R.Br.
Tristaniopsis Brongn. & Gris
Ugni Turcz.
Uromyrtus Burret
Verticordia DC.
Welchiodendron Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.
Whiteodendron Steenis
Xanthomyrtus Diels
Xanthostemon F.Muell.

Ecology

Myrtaceae is foraged by many stingless bees, especially by species such as Melipona bicolor which gather pollen from this plant family. Some Australian species such as Tetragonula hockingsi and T. carbonaria are also known to collect resin from the mature seed pods of Corymbia torelliana, resulting in as the seeds get stuck onto the corbiculae of the bees and sometimes are successfully disposed of by colony members that remove them. But usually, they get stuck in the hives or near hive entrances instead, hence also making it a minor nuisance for some keepers as they can take up a lot of space. Fortunately, this is only known to occur in the eastern areas of Australia, but could occur in other neighbouring countries where some Corymbia species are native.

Weevils in the tribe Cryptoplini mostly use Myrtaceae as hosts. Their larvae can develop in flower and fruit buds, or in galls (often galls already formed by other insects).

References

"Myrtales". www.mobot.org. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
Biffin, Ed; Lucas, Eve J.; Craven, Lyn A.; Ribeiro da Costa, Itayguara; Harrington, Mark G.; Crisp, Michael D. (2010-05-11). "Evolution of exceptional species richness among lineages of fleshy-fruited Myrtaceae". Annals of Botany. 106 (1): 79–93. doi:10.1093/aob/mcq088. ISSN 1095-8290. PMC 2889796. PMID 20462850.
Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. hdl:10654/18083.
Thornhill, Andrew H.; Ho, Simon Y.W.; Külheim, Carsten; Crisp, Michael D. (December 2015). "Interpreting the modern distribution of Myrtaceae using a dated molecular phylogeny". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 93: 29–43. Bibcode:2015MolPE..93...29T. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.07.007. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 26211451. S2CID 21263153.
Sytsma, Kenneth J.; Litt, Amy; Zjhra, Michelle L.; Chris Pires, J.; Nepokroeff, Molly; Conti, Elena; Walker, Jay; Wilson, Peter G. (July 2004). "Clades, Clocks, and Continents: Historical and Biogeographical Analysis of Myrtaceae, Vochysiaceae, and Relatives in the Southern Hemisphere". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 165 (S4): S85 – S105. Bibcode:2004IJPlS.165S..85S. doi:10.1086/421066. ISSN 1058-5893. S2CID 62825431.
Christenhusz, M. J. M.; Byng, J. W. (2016). "The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotaxa. 261 (3). Magnolia Press: 201–217. Bibcode:2016Phytx.261..201C. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.
Govaerts, R. et al. (12 additional authors). 2008. World Checklist of Myrtaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. xv + 455 pp.
Johnson, L. A. S.; Briggs, B. G. (1984). "Myrtales and Myrtaceae-A Phylogenetic Analysis". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 71 (3): 700. Bibcode:1984AnMBG..71..700J. doi:10.2307/2399159. ISSN 0026-6493. JSTOR 2399159.
Wilson, Peter G.; O'Brien, Marcelle M.; Gadek, Paul A.; Quinn, Christopher J. (2001). "Myrtaceae revisited: a reassessment of infrafamilial groups". American Journal of Botany. 88 (11): 2013–2025. doi:10.2307/3558428. JSTOR 3558428. PMID 21669634.
Sytsma, Kenneth J. and Amy Litt. 2002. Tropical disjunctions in and among the Myrtaceae clade (Myrtaceae, Heteropyxidaceae, Psiloxylaceae, Vochysiaceae): Gondwanan vicariance or dispersal? (Abstract). Botany 2002 Conference, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, August 4–7, 2002.
Wilson, P. G.; O'Brien, M. M.; Heslewood, M. M.; Quinn, C. J. (2005). "Relationships within Myrtaceae sensu lato based on a matK phylogeny". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 251 (1): 3–19. Bibcode:2005PSyEv.251....3W. doi:10.1007/s00606-004-0162-y. S2CID 23470845.
Wilson, P. G. (2011) Myrtaceae. In The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Volume X. Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae, edited by K. Kubitzki, X:212–71. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2011.
"Myrtaceae Juss". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
Hilário, S.D.; Imperatriz-Fonseca, V.L. (2009). "Pollen foraging in colonies of Melipona bicolor (Apidae, Meliponini): effects of season, colony size and queen number". Genetics and Molecular Research. 8 (2): 664–671. doi:10.4238/vol8-2kerr029. PMID 19554765.
Jennings, Debbie; Oberprieler, Rolf (2018-07-23). "A Review of the Tribe Cryptoplini (Coleoptera: Curculioninae), with Revision of the Genus Menechirus Hartmann, 1901 and Description of a New Genus Associated with Macadamia". Diversity. 10 (3): 71. Bibcode:2018Diver..10...71J. doi:10.3390/d10030071. ISSN 1424-2818.

External links

Data related to Myrtaceae at Wikispecies

[mobot-1] "Myrtales". www.mobot.org. Retrieved 2023-07-20.

[2] Biffin, Ed; Lucas, Eve J.; Craven, Lyn A.; Ribeiro da Costa, Itayguara; Harrington, Mark G.; Crisp, Michael D. (2010-05-11). "Evolution of exceptional species richness among lineages of fleshy-fruited Myrtaceae". Annals of Botany. 106 (1): 79–93. doi:10.1093/aob/mcq088. ISSN 1095-8290. PMC 2889796. PMID 20462850.

[APGIII2009-3] Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. hdl:10654/18083.

[:0-4] Thornhill, Andrew H.; Ho, Simon Y.W.; Külheim, Carsten; Crisp, Michael D. (December 2015). "Interpreting the modern distribution of Myrtaceae using a dated molecular phylogeny". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 93: 29–43. Bibcode:2015MolPE..93...29T. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.07.007. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 26211451. S2CID 21263153.

[5] Sytsma, Kenneth J.; Litt, Amy; Zjhra, Michelle L.; Chris Pires, J.; Nepokroeff, Molly; Conti, Elena; Walker, Jay; Wilson, Peter G. (July 2004). "Clades, Clocks, and Continents: Historical and Biogeographical Analysis of Myrtaceae, Vochysiaceae, and Relatives in the Southern Hemisphere". International Journal of Plant Sciences. 165 (S4): S85 – S105. Bibcode:2004IJPlS.165S..85S. doi:10.1086/421066. ISSN 1058-5893. S2CID 62825431.

[Christenhusz-Byng2016-6] Christenhusz, M. J. M.; Byng, J. W. (2016). "The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotaxa. 261 (3). Magnolia Press: 201–217. Bibcode:2016Phytx.261..201C. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.

[7] Govaerts, R. et al. (12 additional authors). 2008. World Checklist of Myrtaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. xv + 455 pp.

[:1-8] Johnson, L. A. S.; Briggs, B. G. (1984). "Myrtales and Myrtaceae-A Phylogenetic Analysis". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 71 (3): 700. Bibcode:1984AnMBG..71..700J. doi:10.2307/2399159. ISSN 0026-6493. JSTOR 2399159.

[:2-9] Wilson, Peter G.; O'Brien, Marcelle M.; Gadek, Paul A.; Quinn, Christopher J. (2001). "Myrtaceae revisited: a reassessment of infrafamilial groups". American Journal of Botany. 88 (11): 2013–2025. doi:10.2307/3558428. JSTOR 3558428. PMID 21669634.

[10] Sytsma, Kenneth J. and Amy Litt. 2002. Tropical disjunctions in and among the Myrtaceae clade (Myrtaceae, Heteropyxidaceae, Psiloxylaceae, Vochysiaceae): Gondwanan vicariance or dispersal? (Abstract). Botany 2002 Conference, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, August 4–7, 2002.

[11] Wilson, P. G.; O'Brien, M. M.; Heslewood, M. M.; Quinn, C. J. (2005). "Relationships within Myrtaceae sensu lato based on a matK phylogeny". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 251 (1): 3–19. Bibcode:2005PSyEv.251....3W. doi:10.1007/s00606-004-0162-y. S2CID 23470845.

[12] Wilson, P. G. (2011) Myrtaceae. In The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Volume X. Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae, edited by K. Kubitzki, X:212–71. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2011.

[POWO-13] "Myrtaceae Juss". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.

[14] Hilário, S.D.; Imperatriz-Fonseca, V.L. (2009). "Pollen foraging in colonies of Melipona bicolor (Apidae, Meliponini): effects of season, colony size and queen number". Genetics and Molecular Research. 8 (2): 664–671. doi:10.4238/vol8-2kerr029. PMID 19554765.

[15] Jennings, Debbie; Oberprieler, Rolf (2018-07-23). "A Review of the Tribe Cryptoplini (Coleoptera: Curculioninae), with Revision of the Genus Menechirus Hartmann, 1901 and Description of a New Genus Associated with Macadamia". Diversity. 10 (3): 71. Bibcode:2018Diver..10...71J. doi:10.3390/d10030071. ISSN 1424-2818.