View source for Myrtaceae

{{Short description|Myrtle family of plants}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|Santonian|0|[[Santonian]] - recent|ref=<ref name=mobot>{{Cite web |title=Myrtales|url=https://mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/orders/myrtalesweb2.htm|access-date=2023-07-20 |website=www.mobot.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Biffin |first1=Ed |last2=Lucas |first2=Eve J. |last3=Craven |first3=Lyn A. |last4=Ribeiro da Costa |first4=Itayguara |last5=Harrington |first5=Mark G. |last6=Crisp |first6=Michael D. |date=2010-05-11 |title=Evolution of exceptional species richness among lineages of fleshy-fruited Myrtaceae |journal=Annals of Botany |volume=106 |issue=1 |pages=79–93 |doi=10.1093/aob/mcq088 |pmid=20462850 |pmc=2889796 |issn=1095-8290}}</ref>}}
| name = 
| image = Myrtus communis.jpg
| image_caption = ''[[Myrtus communis]]'' foliage and flowers
| taxon = Myrtaceae
| authority = [[Antoine Laurent de Jussieu|Juss.]]<ref name=APGIII2009>{{Cite journal |last=Angiosperm Phylogeny Group |year=2009 |title=An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III |journal=Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=161 |issue=2 |pages=105–121 |doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x |doi-access=free |hdl=10654/18083 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = About 130; see list
}}
[[File:Pimenta dioica (Allspice) W IMG 2431.jpg|thumb|''[[Pimenta dioica]]'']]

'''Myrtaceae''' ({{IPAc-en|m|@|r|'|t|eI|s|i|%|aI|,_|-|s|i:|%|i:}}), the '''myrtle family''', is a family of [[dicotyledon]]ous [[plant]]s placed within the order [[Myrtales]]. [[Myrtus|Myrtle]], [[Metrosideros|pōhutukawa]], [[Pimenta racemosa|bay rum tree]], [[clove]], [[guava]], [[Acca (plant)|acca (feijoa)]], [[allspice]], and [[eucalyptus]] are some notable members of this group. All species are woody, contain [[essential oil]]s, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. The [[leaf|leaves]] are [[evergreen]], alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually entire (i.e., without a toothed margin). The [[flower]]s have a base number of five petals, though in several genera, the petals are minute or absent. The [[stamen]]s are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured, and numerous.

== 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]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Thornhill|first1=Andrew H.|last2=Ho|first2=Simon Y.W.|last3=Külheim|first3=Carsten|last4=Crisp|first4=Michael D.|date=December 2015|title=Interpreting the modern distribution of Myrtaceae using a dated molecular phylogeny|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=93|pages=29–43|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2015.07.007|pmid=26211451|bibcode=2015MolPE..93...29T |s2cid=21263153 |issn=1055-7903}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sytsma|first1=Kenneth J.|last2=Litt|first2=Amy|last3=Zjhra|first3=Michelle L.|last4=Chris Pires|first4=J.|last5=Nepokroeff|first5=Molly|last6=Conti|first6=Elena|last7=Walker|first7=Jay|last8=Wilson|first8=Peter G.|date=July 2004|title=Clades, Clocks, and Continents: Historical and Biogeographical Analysis of Myrtaceae, Vochysiaceae, and Relatives in the Southern Hemisphere|journal=International Journal of Plant Sciences|volume=165|issue=S4|pages=S85–S105|doi=10.1086/421066|bibcode=2004IJPlS.165S..85S |s2cid=62825431|issn=1058-5893}}</ref> Generally, experts agree that [[Allopatric speciation|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.<ref name=":0" />

== Diversity ==
Recent estimates suggest the Myrtaceae include about 5,950 species in about 132 genera.<ref name="Christenhusz-Byng2016">{{cite journal |author1=Christenhusz, M. J. M. |author2=Byng, J. W. | year = 2016 | title = The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase | journal = Phytotaxa | volume = 261 | pages = 201–217 | url = http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/download/phytotaxa.261.3.1/20598 | doi = 10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1 | issue = 3 | publisher = Magnolia Press | doi-access = free |bibcode=2016Phytx.261..201C }}</ref><ref>Govaerts, R. et al. (12 additional authors). 2008. World Checklist of Myrtaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. xv + 455 pp.</ref> 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 hotspot]]s. Genera with [[Capsule (fruit)|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 [[Neotropic]]s. ''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 [[mangrove]]s. ''[[Eugenia]]'', ''[[Myrcia]]'', and ''[[Calyptranthes]]'' are among the larger genera in the neotropics.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

[[File:Wax apple.png|thumb|300px|''[[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.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

== 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Johnson|first1=L. A. S.|last2=Briggs|first2=B. G.|date=1984|title=Myrtales and Myrtaceae-A Phylogenetic Analysis|journal=Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden|volume=71|issue=3|pages=700|doi=10.2307/2399159|issn=0026-6493|jstor=2399159|bibcode=1984AnMBG..71..700J }}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2" />

The genera ''[[Heteropyxis]]'' and ''[[Psiloxylon]]'' have been separated as separate families by many authors in the past as Heteropyxidaceae and Psiloxylaceae.<ref>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.</ref><ref name=":1" /> However, Wilson ''et al.''<ref name=":2">{{cite journal|doi=10.2307/3558428|jstor=3558428|title=Myrtaceae revisited: a reassessment of infrafamilial groups|journal=[[American Journal of Botany]]|volume=88|issue=11|pages=2013–2025|year=2001|last1=Wilson|first1=Peter G.|last2=O'Brien|first2=Marcelle M.|last3=Gadek|first3=Paul A.|last4=Quinn|first4=Christopher J.|pmid=21669634 |doi-access=free}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/s00606-004-0162-y|title=Relationships within Myrtaceae sensu lato based on a matK phylogeny|journal=[[Plant Systematics and Evolution]]|volume=251|pages=3–19|year=2005|last1=Wilson|first1=P. G.|last2=O'Brien|first2=M. M.|last3=Heslewood|first3=M. M.|last4=Quinn|first4=C. J.|issue=1 |bibcode=2005PSyEv.251....3W |s2cid=23470845}}</ref>

Many new species are being described annually from throughout the range of Myrtaceae. Likewise, new genera are being described nearly yearly.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

==Classification==
Following Wilson (2011)<ref>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.</ref>

'''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|2025|2}}, [[Plants of the World Online]] accepts the following 130 genera:{{R|POWO}}
{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
*''[[Acca (plant)|Acca]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Accara]]'' {{small|Landrum}}
*''[[Actinodium]]'' {{small|S.Schauer ex Schltdl.}}
*''[[Aggreflorum]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson}}
*''[[Agonis]]'' {{small|(DC.) Sweet}}
*''[[Algrizea]]'' {{small|Proença & NicLugh.}}
*''[[Allosyncarpia]]'' {{small|S.T.Blake}}
*''[[Aluta]]'' {{small|Rye & Trudgen}}
*''[[Amomyrtella]]'' {{small|Kausel}}
*''[[Amomyrtus]]'' {{small|(Burret) D.Legrand & Kausel}}
*''[[Angophora]]'' {{small|Cav.}}
*''[[Anticoryne]]'' {{small|Turcz.}}
*''[[Apectospermum]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson}}
*''[[Archirhodomyrtus]]'' {{small|(Nied.) Burret}}
*''[[Arillastrum]]'' {{small|Pancher ex Baill.}}
*''[[Astartea]]'' {{small|DC.}}
*''[[Asteromyrtus]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Astus]]'' {{small|Trudgen & Rye}}
*''[[Austrobaeckea]]'' {{small|Rye}}
*''[[Austromyrtus]]'' {{small|(Nied.) Burret}}
*''[[Babingtonia]]'' {{small|Lindl.}}
*''[[Backhousia]]'' {{small|Hook. & Harv.}}
*''[[Baeckea]]'' {{small|L.}}
*''[[Balaustion]]'' {{small|Hook.}}
*''[[Barongia]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson & B.Hyland}}
*''[[Basisperma]]'' {{small|C.T.White}}
*''[[Blepharocalyx]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Calycolpus]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Calytrix]]'' {{small|Labill.}}
*''[[Campomanesia]]'' {{small|Ruiz & Pav.}}
*''[[Chamelaucium]]'' {{small|Desf.}}
*''[[Chamguava]]'' {{small|Landrum}}
*''[[Cheyniana]]'' {{small|Rye}}
*''[[Cloezia]]'' {{small|Brongn. & Gris}}
*''[[Corymbia]]'' {{small|K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson}}
*''[[Curitiba]]'' {{small|Salywon & Landrum}}
*''[[Cyathostemon]]'' {{small|Turcz.}}
*''[[Darwinia (plant)|Darwinia]]'' {{small|Rudge}}
*''[[Decaspermum]]'' {{small|J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.}}
*''[[Enekbatus]]'' {{small|Trudgen & Rye}}
*''[[Ericomyrtus]]'' {{small|Turcz.}}
*''[[Eucalyptopsis]]'' {{small|C.T.White}}
*''[[Eucalyptus]]'' {{small|L'Hér.}}
*''[[Eugenia]]'' {{small|P.Micheli ex L.}}
*''[[Euryomyrtus]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Feijoa]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Gaudium (plant)|Gaudium]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson}}
*''[[Gossia]]'' {{small|N.Snow & Guymer}}
*''[[Harmogia]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Heteropyxis]]'' {{small|Harv.}}
*''[[Homalocalyx]]'' {{small|F.Muell.}}
*''[[Homalospermum]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Homoranthus]]'' {{small|A.Cunn. ex Schauer}}
*''[[Hypocalymma]]'' {{small|(Endl.) Endl.}}
*''[[Hysterobaeckea]]'' {{small|(Nied.) Rye}}
*''[[Kanakomyrtus]]'' {{small|N.Snow}}
*''[[Kania (plant)|Kania]]'' {{small|Schltr.}}
*''[[Kardomia]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson}}
*''[[Kjellbergiodendron]]'' {{small|Burret}}
*''[[Kunzea]]'' {{small|Rchb.}}
*''[[Legrandia]]'' {{small|Kausel}}
*''[[Lenwebbia]]'' {{small|N.Snow & Guymer}}
*''[[Leptospermopsis]]'' {{small|S.Moore}}
*''[[Leptospermum]]'' {{small|J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.}}
*''[[Lindsayomyrtus]]'' {{small|B.Hyland & Steenis}}
*''[[Lithomyrtus]]'' {{small|F.Muell.}}
*''[[Lophomyrtus]]'' {{small|Burret}}
*''[[Lophostemon]]'' {{small|Schott}}
*''[[Luma (plant)|Luma]]'' {{small|A.Gray}}
*''[[Lysicarpus]]'' {{small|F.Muell.}}
*''[[Malleostemon]]'' {{small|J.W.Green}}
*''[[Melaleuca]]'' {{small|L.}}
*''[[Metrosideros]]'' {{small|Banks ex Gaertn.}}
*''[[Micromyrtus]]'' {{small|Benth.}}
*''[[Mitrantia]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson & B.Hyland}}
*''[[Mosiera]]'' {{small|Small}}
*''[[Myrceugenia]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Myrcia]]'' {{small|DC. ex Guill.}}
*''[[Myrcianthes]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Myrciaria]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Myrrhinium]]'' {{small|Schott}}
*''[[Myrtastrum]]'' {{small|Burret}}
*''[[Myrtella]]'' {{small|F.Muell.}}
*''[[Myrteola]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Myrtus]]'' {{small|Tourn. ex L.}}
*''[[Neofabricia]]'' {{small|Joy Thomps.}}
*''[[Neomitranthes]]'' {{small|D.Legrand}}
*''[[Neomyrtus]]'' {{small|Burret}}
*''[[Nothomyrcia]]'' {{small|Kausel}}
*''[[Ochrosperma]]'' {{small|Trudgen}}
*''[[Octamyrtus]]'' {{small|Diels}}
*''[[Osbornia]]'' {{small|F.Muell.}}
*''[[Oxymyrrhine]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Pericalymma]]'' {{small|(Endl.) Endl.}}
*''[[Pileanthus]]'' {{small|Labill.}}
*''[[Pilidiostigma]]'' {{small|Burret}}
*''[[Pimenta (genus)|Pimenta]]'' {{small|Lindl.}}
*''[[Pleurocalyptus]]'' {{small|Brongn. & Gris}}
*''[[Plinia]]'' {{small|Plum. ex L.}}
*''[[Psidium]]'' {{small|L.}}
*''[[Psiloxylon]]'' {{small|Thouars ex Tul.}}
*''[[Purpureostemon]]'' {{small|Gugerli}}
*''[[Rhodamnia]]'' {{small|Jack}}
*''[[Rhodomyrtus]]'' {{small|(DC.) Rchb.}}
*''[[Rinzia]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Ristantia]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.}}
*''[[Sannantha]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson}}
*''[[Scholtzia]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Seorsus]]'' {{small|Rye & Trudgen}}
*''[[Siphoneugena]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Sphaerantia]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson & B.Hyland}}
*''[[Stenostegia]]'' {{small|A.R.Bean}}
*''[[Stockwellia]]'' {{small|D.J.Carr, S.G.M.Carr & B.Hyland}}
*''[[Syncarpia]]'' {{small|Ten.}}
*''[[Syzygium]]'' {{small|Gaertn.}}
*''[[Taxandria (plant)|Taxandria]]'' {{small|(Benth.) J.R.Wheeler & N.G.Marchant}}
*''[[Temu cruckshanksii|Temu]]'' {{small|O.Berg}}
*''[[Tetrapora (plant)|Tetrapora]]'' {{small|S.Schauer}}
*''[[Thaleropia]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson}}
*''[[Thryptomene]]'' {{small|Endl.}}
*''[[Triplarina]]'' {{small|Raf.}}
*''[[Tristania (plant)|Tristania]]'' {{small|R.Br.}}
*''[[Tristaniopsis]]'' {{small|Brongn. & Gris}}
*''[[Ugni]]'' {{small|Turcz.}}
*''[[Uromyrtus]]'' {{small|Burret}}
*''[[Verticordia]]'' {{small|DC.}}
*''[[Welchiodendron]]'' {{small|Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.}}
*''[[Whiteodendron]]'' {{small|Steenis}}
*''[[Xanthomyrtus]]'' {{small|Diels}}
*''[[Xanthostemon]]'' {{small|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 ''[[Tetragonula carbonaria|T. carbonaria]]'' are also known to collect resin from the mature seed pods of ''[[Corymbia torelliana]]'', resulting in ''[[mellitochory]]'' 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.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.4238/vol8-2kerr029|pmid=19554765|title=Pollen foraging in colonies of ''Melipona bicolor'' (Apidae, Meliponini): effects of season, colony size and queen number|journal=Genetics and Molecular Research|volume=8|issue=2|pages=664–671|year=2009|last1=Hilário|first1=S.D.|last2=Imperatriz-Fonseca|first2=V.L.|doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[Weevil|Weevils]] in the tribe [[Cryptoplini]] mostly use Myrtaceae as hosts. Their larvae can develop in flower and fruit buds, or in [[Gall|galls]] (often galls already formed by other insects).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jennings |first1=Debbie |last2=Oberprieler |first2=Rolf |date=2018-07-23 |title=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 |journal=Diversity |language=en |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=71 |doi=10.3390/d10030071 |issn=1424-2818 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2018Diver..10...71J }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name="POWO">{{cite web |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000056-2 |title=''Myrtaceae'' Juss. |website=[[Plants of the World Online]] |publisher=[[Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew]] |year=2025 |access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Wikispecies-inline}}

{{Angiosperm families}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q156563}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Myrtaceae| ]]
[[Category:Myrtales families]]