Myrtaceae
Myrtaceae Juss. comprises approximately 130–145 genera and 5,800–6,000 species, distributed mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, with Australia representing the principal center of diversity. Molecular phylogenetic studies have refined the classification of major tribes and genera while confirming the family's monophyly. Members are characterized by evergreen aromatic leaves containing essential oil glands, flowers with numerous conspicuous stamens, inferior ovaries, and berry or capsule fruits.
Key characteristics
- Evergreen trees or shrubs
- Leaves simple, opposite, leathery, exstipulate
- Numerous aromatic oil glands in leaves
- Flowers actinomorphic with numerous stamens
- Ovary inferior or partly inferior
- Fruit a berry or woody capsule
- Aromatic foliage when crushed
Distribution
Myrtaceae has a pantropical and subtropical distribution, with the greatest diversity occurring in Australia, Southeast Asia, South America, and tropical Africa. Members inhabit tropical rainforests, temperate forests, savannas, coastal woodlands, Mediterranean-type vegetation, and montane ecosystems. Australia alone contains more than half of the world's Myrtaceae species. In Pakistan, Myrtaceae is represented primarily by cultivated and naturalized species, occurring throughout. Species are commonly planted in forests, parks, roadside plantations, orchards, botanical gardens, agricultural fields, and urban landscapes. Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Psidium guajava, Syzygium cumini, and Callistemon viminalis are among the most widespread representatives.