[NTK]
Lucas, E. & Jennings, L. (2009). Neotropical Myrtaceae.
- Morphology
-
Description
Trees or woody shrubs; hairs simple or occasionally dibrachiate. Leaves opposite or sometimes sub-opposite . Inflorescences very variable, can be terminal or usually axillary , solitary, dichasial, racemose, glomerulous or sometimes paniculate; perianth free in 4 to 5 parts or calyx calyptrate; stamens free , numerous; anthers versatile, dehiscing by longitudinal slits. Ovary generally inferior, occasionally semi-inferior, mostly 2, 3 or 4 (-10) locular; placentas axile , ovules radiating, sometimes pendulous; vascular supply to ovary trans-septal. Fruit indehiscent , fleshy ; seeds usually numerous; embryo variable with cotyledons small and straight or elongate and curved, well developed and leafy or homogenous.
- Distribution
-
Distribution in the Neotropics
- Acca O. Berg: Brazil to Peru and Uruguay.
- Accara Landrum: Brazil.
- Amomyrtella Kausel: Bolivia and Northern Argentina.
- Amomyrtus (Burret) Legrand & Kausel: Chile, just into W. Argentina.
- Blepharocalyx O. Berg: Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, Chile and Argentina.
- Calycolpus O. Berg: Panama and Colombia, Venezuela to Peru and Trinidad, Guyana and Northern Brazil.
- Calycorectes O. Berg: Cuba, Mexico south to Northern Argentina.
- Calyptranthes Sw.: Florida and Caribbean, Mexico south to Northern Argentina.
- Campomanesia Ruíz & Pavón: Brazil north to Venezuela and Trinidad, west to Colombia and Peru and south to Northern Argentina.
- Chamguava Landrum: Mexico (Guerrero, Chiapas) to Honduras and Panama.
- Eugenia L. Pantropical - in the Neotropics: Southern Florida and Caribbean and from Mexico to Argentina.
- Gomidesia O. Berg: Brazil north to Venezuela, Guyana and the Caribbean to Hispaniola, south into Paraguay and Argentina.
- Hexachlamys O. Berg: Southern Brazil and Paraguay to Bolivia and Northern Argentina.
- Legrandia Kausel: Chile.
- Luma A. Gray: Peru: Chile and Argentina.
- Marlierea Cambess.: Trinidad-Tobago and Windward Is., Costa Rica to Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas and Northern Brazil.
- Mosiera Small: Southern Florida and Caribbean.
- Myrceugenia O. Berg: Brazil to Argentina, Chile and Juan Fernandez Is.
- Myrcia DC. ex Guillemin: Mexico and Caribbean south to Argentina.
- Myrcianthes O. Berg: Florida and Caribbean, Mexico south to Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.
- Myrciaria O. Berg: Guatemala and Belize south to Paraguay and Northern Argentina.
- Myrrhinium Schott: Ecuador and Peru to Southern Brazil and Northern Argentina.
- Myrteola O. Berg: From the Andes of Colombia south to Tierra del Fuego and Falkland Is.
- Neomitranthes Legrand: SE. and Southern Brazil.
- Pimenta Lindl.: Caribbean from Cuba to Trinidad, Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca) to Panama, Southern Bolivia, Southern and SE. Brazil.
- Plinia L.: Caribbean: Costa Rica south through tropical South America to Argentina.
- Psidium L.: Southern Mexico and Caribbean through tropical South America to Northern Argentina.
- Siphoneugena O. Berg: Brazil north to Venezuela, the Guianas and Caribbean to Puerto Rico, south into Argentina.
- Tepualia Griseb.: Chile.
- Ugni Turcz.: Guatemala to Guyana (Mt. Roraima) and Chile, Juan Fernandez Is.
- Diagnostic
-
Useful tips for generic identification
- Observe texture of seed testa.
- Observe embryo shape and size.
- Observe number of perianth parts.
- Observe inflorescence architecture.
- Note collection locality.
- Blepharocalyx: seed testa soft, embryo c-shaped, perianth 4-merous, parts free, arranged in a distinctive square upon ovary; inflorescences in complex branching dichasia of up to 35 flowers; single very variable and widely distributed species in Brazil, Venezuela and tropical Argentina.
- Eugenia: seed testa soft; embryo homogenous resembling a bean; perianth mostly 4-merous, parts free, flowers often subtended by evident, conspicuous bracts; inflorescences solitary, in fascicles, spikes or racemes; widely distributed throughout the Neotropics, > 1,000 species.
- Myrcia s.l.: seed testa soft; embryo membranous, plicate with long, distinct hypocotyl; perianth mostly 5-merous, calyx lobes free or fused, tearing open irregularly or circumscissile and falling as a calyptra; inflorescences in panicles; widely distributed throughout the Neotropics, > 700 species.
- Myrceugenia: seed testa soft; embryo membranous, plicate with long, distinct hypocotyl; perianth mostly 4-merous, parts free (rarely circumscissile), valvate; inflorescences solitary or in dichasia; common in Brazil to Argentina: Chile and the Juan Fernandez Islands.
- Pimenta: seed testa hard in all but one species, embryo c-shaped, perianth (4-)5-merous, parts free; inflorescences in complex branching dichasia of many flowers; extremely aromatic plant; common in central America, the Caribbean and southern Brazil.
- Psidium: seed testa hard, embryo c-shaped, perianth mostly 4-merous, parts free to fused often tearing open irregualarly; inflorescences solitary or in panicles; common throughout South America.
- Myrciaria, Neomitranthes, Plinia and Siphoneugena: seed testa soft; embryo homogenous resembling a bean; perianth mostly 4-merous, parts free or fused and falling as a circumscissile but open ring or tearing irregularly; inflorescences mostly sessile and in glomerules; central America, the Caribbean and particularly common in southern Brazil.
- No characters are ALWAYS present.
- Opposite, simple leaves.
- Pellucidgland dots on leaves and often other parts.
- Leaves aromatic when crushed.
- Intramarginal collecting vein present.
- Inferior ovary.
- No evident stipules.
- Many (>100) stamens.
The families listed below differ from Myrtaceae in the following characters:
- Clusiaceae: plants usually with latex; leaves sometimes with dark resin-filled dots; flowers often unisexual; ovarysuperior.
- Malpighiaceae: leaves without translucent dots, an interpetiolar scar often present; flowers with clawed petals, few stamens; calyx with prominentglands at the base on the outer surface.
- Oleaceae: leaves sometimes serrate; no part of plant bearing pellucidgland dots; stamens 2; ovarysuperior.
- Melastomataceae (especially Mouriri): plants without translucent dots; no part of plant bearing pellucidgland dots; stamens <20, anthers sickle shaped and isomerous; inflorescences often cymose.
- Rubiaceae (especially in fruit): plants without translucent dots; interpetiolar stipules distinct in most specimens; corolla tubular; stamens 4-5.
- Rutaceae (species with simple leaves): leaves alternate; flowers with few stamens; prominent intrastaminal nectary-disc; ovarysuperior.
- General Description
-
Status
- All genera listed are native, and all but Eugenia are endemic to the Neotropics.
- Psidium (Guava), Eugeniauniflora (Pitanga) and Myrciariacauliflora (Jaboticaba) are widely cultivated for fruit, jams and juices.
- Syzygiumjambos and various Eucalyptus species are introduced, cultivated (for fruit and timber/shade respectively) and are often naturalized.
- 29 genera: Acca, Accara, Amomyrtella, Amomyrtus, Blepharocalyx, Calycolpus, Calycorectes, Calyptranthes, Campomanesia, Chamguava, Eugenia, Hexachlamys, Legrandia, Luma, Marlierea, Mosiera, Myrceugenia, Myrcia, Myrcianthes, Myrciaria, Myrrhinium, Myrteola, Neomitranthes, Pimenta, Plinia, Psidium, Siphoneugena, Tepualia, Ugni.
- Literature
-
Important literature
Govaerts, R., Sobral, M., Ashton, P., Barrie, F., Holst, B.K., Landrum, L.L., Matsumoto, K., Mazine, F.F., Nic Lughadha, E., Proença, C., Soares-Silva, L.H., Wilson, P.G. and Lucas, E. 2008. World Checklist of Myrtaceae. Kew Publishing: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Landrum, L.R. and Kawasaki, M.L. 1997. The genera of Myrtaceae in Brazil: an illustrated synoptic treatment and identification keys. Brittonia. 49: 508-536.
Lucas, E.J., Harris, S.A., Mazine, F.F., Belsham, S.R., Nic Lughadha, E.M., Telford, A., Gasson, P.E. and Chase, M.W. 2007. Suprageneric phylogenetics of Myrteae, the generically richest tribe in Myrtaceae (Myrtales). Taxon 56: 1105-1128.
McVaugh, R. 1956. Tropical American Myrtaceae, notes on generic concepts and descriptions of previously unrecognized species. Fieldiana, Bot. 29: 145-228.
McVaugh, R. 1963. Tropical American Myrtaceae, II, notes on generic concepts and descriptions of previously unrecognized species. Fieldiana 29: 393-532.
McVaugh, R. 1968. The genera of American Myrtaceae - an interim report. Taxon 17: 354-418.
[FWTA]
Myrtaceae, Hutchinson and Dalziel. Flora of West Tropical Africa 1:1. 1954
- Morphology General Habit
- Trees or shrubs
- Morphology Leaves
- Leaves simple, mostly entire, opposite or rarely alternate, glandular-punctate; stipules 0 or rarely very small
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
- Flowers mostly actinomorphic, hermaphrodite or polygamous by abortion
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
- Calyx-tube more or less adnate to the ovary; lobes 3 or more, imbricate or valvate or irregularly split
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
- Petals 4–5, rarely 6 or 0, inserted on the margin of the disk lining the calyx-tube, imbricate or connivent in a mass
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium
- Stamens numerous, rarely few, inserted on the margin of the disk, 1- or more-seriate, indexed in bud or twice folded or straight; filaments free or connate at the base into a short tube or in bundles opposite the petals; anthers small, 2-celled, opening lengthwise by slits or rarely by apical pores, the connective often tipped by a gland
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium
- Ovary inferior, syncarpous, 1- to many-celled, with mostly axile, rarely parietal placentas; ovules rarely solitary or few
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
- Fruit inferior, loculicidally dehiscent or indehiscent
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
- Seeds with no (or very little) endosperm; embryo straight, incurved, circular or spiral
[FZ]
Myrtaceae, F. White. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978
- Morphology General Habit
- Trees, shrubs or rhizomatous, geoxylic suffrutices
- Morphology Leaves
- Leaves usually opposite or subopposite, rarely alternate, ternate, or in fours, simple, entire, often coriaceous, pellucid-punctate
- Morphology Leaves Stipules
- Stipules absent
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
- Inflorescence axillary or terminal, paniculate, thyrsoid, umbellate, cymose, racemose, or flowers solitary or fasciculate
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
- Flowers mostly bisexual, sometimes unisexual by abortion, actinomorphic, partly or completely epigynous
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
- Sepals (0)4–5, often persistent, rarely accrescent, sometimes fused to form an operculum, often with punctate glands
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
- Petals (0)4–5, imbricate, free or coherent to form a calyptra or fused to form an operculum, often with punctate glands
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium
- Stamens usually numerous, free or basally connate; filaments often coiled or folded in the bud; anthers basifixed or dorsifixed, connective sometimes with an apical gland
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium
- Ovary inferior or half-inferior, with (1)2–5(10) locules; septa sometimes incomplete; placentation axile or parietal and then often with deeply intruded placentae; ovules 1 to numerous per locule or placenta; style 1, punctiform, capitate, funnel-shaped or shallowly 2–3-lobed at the apex
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
- Fruit a berry, drupe or loculicidal capsule which only dehisces near the apex, rarely nut-like and indehiscent
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
- Seeds 1 to many per locule; endosperm absent or scanty; embryo straight or incurved
[FTEA]
Myrtaceae, B. Verdcourt, B.Sc., Ph.D.. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2001
- Morphology General Habit
- Trees, shrubs or occasionally pyrophytic subshrubs with massive rootstocks; usually evergreen; pith with internal phloem
- Morphology Leaves
- Leaves simple, predominantly opposite, often coriaceous, mostly entire, glandular-punctate; stipules absent or very reduced
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
- Flowers mostly regular, hermaphrodite or unisexual, solitary or in simple to complex inflorescences; bracteoles often present
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Hypanthium
- Hypanthium (“calyx-tube”) ± adnate to the ovary; lobes 3–6(–10), imbricate, valvate, splitting irregularly or forming an operculum
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
- Petals 4–5(–6) or rarely absent, included on the margin of the disc lining the calyx-tube, imbricate or forming an operculum
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium
- Stamens numerous, rarely only 4, 5 or 10, included on the disc margin in 1 or more rows, straight, inflexed or twice folded in bud; filaments free or connate at the base into a short tube or in 4–5 bundles opposite the petals; anthers small, 2-locular, opening by slits or less often by apical pores; connective sometimes tipped by a gland
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium
- Ovary inferior or ± superior, (1–)2–5(–16)-locular with axile or rarely parietal placentation; ovules (1–)2–many, anatropous to campylotropous; style terminal (absent in one genus)
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
- Fruit a berry or capsule (less often a drupe or nut), (1–)few(–many)-seeded, indehiscent or loculicidally dehiscent
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
- Seeds without or with very little endosperm; embryo straight, incurved, circular or spiral
[FZ]
Heteropyxidaceae, A. Fernandes. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978
- Morphology General Habit
- Aromatic trees or shrubs
- Morphology Leaves
- Leaves alternate, simple, attenuate into a ± long petiole, pellucid-punctate
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
- Flowers dioecious by abortion, actinomorphic, yellowish, sweet-scented Female flowers: perianth as in male; staminodes (4)5–8, minute; ovary free, superior, 2(3)-locular, gland-dotted, with ¥ ovules inserted on an axile placenta; style inserted in a depression of the ovary apex, cylindric, glabrous or pilose, with a large, papillose and capitate stigma Male flowers: receptacle cyathiform, with (4)5 imbricate segments; petals 4(5), perigynous, free, imbricate, gland-dotted; stamens (4)5–8(9–10), perigynous, free, exserted, (4)5 opposite to the petals, the others to the receptacle segments, filaments straight; anthers dorsifixed, dehiscing longitudinally, with 1–3 glands on the back of the connective; disk perigynous, lining the lower 1/2 of the resceptacle, glabrous or ± pilose; pistillode turbinate, with a sessile or short style and a papillose stigma
- sex Male
- Male flowers: receptacle cyathiform, with (4)5 imbricate segments; petals 4(5), perigynous, free, imbricate, gland-dotted; stamens (4)5–8(9–10), perigynous, free, exserted, (4)5 opposite to the petals, the others to the receptacle segments, filaments straight; anthers dorsifixed, dehiscing longitudinally, with 1–3 glands on the back of the connective; disk perigynous, lining the lower 1/2 of the resceptacle, glabrous or ± pilose; pistillode turbinate, with a sessile or short style and a papillose stigma
- sex Female
- Female flowers: perianth as in male; staminodes (4)5–8, minute; ovary free, superior, 2(3)-locular, gland-dotted, with ¥ ovules inserted on an axile placenta; style inserted in a depression of the ovary apex, cylindric, glabrous or pilose, with a large, papillose and capitate stigma
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
- Fruit a small loculicidal 2(3)-valved capsule
- Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
- Seeds ± straight, the outer ones winged at the extremities, without endosperm
- Acca O.Berg
- Accara Landrum
- Actinodium S.Schauer ex Schltdl.
- Agonis (DC.) Sweet
- Algrizea Proença & NicLugh.
- Allosyncarpia S.T.Blake
- Aluta Rye & Trudgen
- Amomyrtella Kausel
- Amomyrtus (Burret) D.Legrand & Kausel
- Angophora Cav.
- Anticoryne Turcz.
- Archirhodomyrtus (Nied.) Burret
- Arillastrum Pancher ex Baill.
- Astartea DC.
- Asteromyrtus S.Schauer
- Astus Trudgen & 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
- Calycorectes O.Berg
- Calytrix Labill.
- Campomanesia Ruiz & Pav.
- Chamelaucium Desf.
- Chamguava Landrum
- Cheyniana Rye
- Cloezia Brongn. & Gris
- Corymbia K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson
- Corynanthera J.W.Green
- 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
- Gossia N.Snow & Guymer
- Harmogia S.Schauer
- Heteropyxis Harv.
- Homalocalyx F.Muell.
- Homalospermum S.Schauer
- Homoranthus A.Cunn. ex S.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
- 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
- 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.
Myrtaceae Juss. appears in other Kew resources:
First published in Gen. Pl. [Jussieu] 322. 1789 [4 Aug 1789] (1789)
Accepted by
- APG IV (2016) http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/boj.12385
-
Flora Zambesiaca
Flora Zambesiaca
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0
-
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Flora of Tropical East Africa
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0
-
Flora of West Tropical Africa
Flora of West Tropical Africa
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0
-
Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone
The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Selected Plant Families 2022. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
© Copyright 2017 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
-
Neotropikey
Milliken, W., Klitgard, B. and Baracat, A. (2009 onwards), Neotropikey - Interactive key and information resources for flowering plants of the Neotropics.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0