The
Myrtaceae are a family, the myrtle family, of
dicotyledonous plants placed within the order
Myrtales.
Myrtle,
pohutukawa, the
bay rum tree,
clove,
guava,
acca (feijoa),
allspice, and
eucalyptus all are members of this group. All species are woody, with
essential oils, and flower parts in multiples of four or five. One notable character of the family is that the
phloem is located on both sides of the
xylem, not just outside as in most other plants. The
leaves are
evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually with an entire (not 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.
