Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants - Online edition


Family Profile
Myrtaceae
Family Description

A family of about 140 genera and more than 5500 species, pantropic but also extending into temperate regions particularly in the southern hemisphere; about 70 genera occur naturally in Australia.

Genera

Allosyncarpia - A monotypic genus endemic to Australia. Blake (1977).

Archirhodomyrtus - A genus of about 10 species in New Guinea, Australia and New Caledonia; one species occurs naturally in Australia. Scott (1978b).

Asteromyrtus - A genus of seven species in New Guinea and Australia; six species occur naturally in Australia. Craven (1988).

Backhousia - A genus of 13 species endemic to Australia. Harrington et al (2012); Ford (2005); Guymer (1988b); Harden et al. (2014); Stanley & Ross (1986); White (1936).

Barongia - A monotypic genus endemic to Australia. Wilson and Hyland (1988).

Corymbia - A genus of more than 100 species, mainly in Australia but also extending into New Guinea. Hill & Johnson (1995).

Decaspermum - A genus of about 30 species in Asia, Malesia, Australia and the Pacific islands; one species occurs naturally in Australia. Scott (1979c, 1985).

Eucalyptus - A genus of over 600 species most of which are endemic to Australia but a few species extending to parts of Malesia as far north as the Philippines. Chippendale (1988).

Eugenia - A genus of 1000 species, pantropic but reaching its best development in South America; one species occurs naturally in Australia. Hyland (1983).

Gossia - A genus of about 35 species in New Geinea, New Caledonia and Australia. Cronquist (1981); Snow et al. (2003); Wilson (2011).

Lenwebbia - A genus of two species endemic to Australia.

Leptospermum - A genus of about 80 species in Malesia, Australia, and New Zealand; about 80 species occur naturally in Australia. Bean (1992); Thompson (1983, 1989).

Lindsayomyrtus - A monotypic genus in the Moluccas, New Guinea, New Britain and Australia. Craven (1990); Hyland & Steenis (1973).

Lithomyrtus - A genus of 11 species confined to Australia. Scott (1978a); Snow & Guymer (1999).

Lophostemon - A genus of four species in New Guinea and Australia; four species occur naturally in Australia. Wilson & Waterhouse (1982).

Melaleuca - A genus of about 230 species in Asia, Malesia, Australia and New Caledonia; 220 species occur naturally in Australia. Craven (Pers. Comm). Blake (1968); Harden (1991); Stanley & Ross (1986).

Mitrantia - A monotypic genus endemic to Australia. Wilson & Hyland (1988).

Neofabricia - A genus of three species endemic to Australia. Clarkson & Thompson (1989).

Pilidiostigma - A genus of six species in New Guinea and Australia; five species occur naturally in Australia. Smith (1956). Snow (2004).

Psidium - A genus of about 100 species in tropical America; two species have become naturalised in Australia. Little & Wadsworth (1964); Little et al. (1974).

Rhodamnia - A genus of about 35 species in Asia, Malesia, Australia, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands; 19 species occur naturally in Australia. Guymer & Jessup (1986); Guymer (1988a); Harden et al. (2014); Scott (1979a); Snow (2007).

Rhodomyrtus - A genus of about 20 species in Asia, Malesia, Australia, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands; seven species occur naturally in Australia. Guymer (1991); Scott (1978b).

Ristantia - A genus of three species endemic to Australia. Cronquist (1981); Wilson (2011); Wilson & Hyland (1988).

Sphaerantia - A genus of two species endemic to Australia. Wilson & Hyland (1988).

Stockwellia - A monotypic genus endemic to Australia.

Syncarpia - A genus of three species endemic to Australia. Bean (1995); Stanley & Ross (1986).

Syzygium - A genus of about 1200 species in Africa, Asia, Malesia, Australia, New Caledonia and the Pacific islands; more than 66 species occur naturally in Australia. The genera Acmena, Acmenosperma and Waterhousea are now included in Syzygium. Hartley & Perry (1973); Hyland (1983); Craven et al (2006); Craven & Biffin (2010).

Thaleropia - A genus of three species in New Guinea and Australia; one species occurs naturally in Australia. Wilson (1993a).

Thryptomene - A genus of about 25 species endemic to Australia. Stanley & Ross (1986).

Tristaniopsis - A genus of about 30 species in Asia, Malesia, Australia and New Caledonia; three species occur naturally in Australia. Wilson & Waterhouse (1982).

Uromyrtus - A genus of 20 or more species in Malesia, Australia and New Caledonia; four species occur naturally in Australia. Scott (1979b, 1986); Snow & Guymer (2001).

Welchiodendron - A monotypic genus in New Guinea and Australia. Wilson & Waterhouse (1982).

Xanthostemon - A genus of about 45 species in Malesia, Australia, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands; 13 species occur naturally in Australia. Wilson (1990, 1993b).

References

Bean, A.R. (1992). The genus Leptospermum Forst. et Forst. F. (Myrtaceae) in Northern Australia and Malesia. Austrobaileya 3:643-659.

Bean, A.R. (1995). A revision of Syncarpia Ten. (Myrtaceae). Austrobaileya 4:337-344.

Biffin, E., Craven, L.A., Crisp, M.D. & Gadek, P.A. (2006). Molecular systematics of Syzygium and allied genera (Myrtaceae): evidence from the chloroplast genome. Taxon 55: 79-94.

Blake, S.T. (1968). A revision of Melaleuca leucadendron and its allies (Myrtaceae). Contributions from the Queensland Herbarium No. 1:1-114.

Blake, S.T. (1977). Allosyncarpia ternata, a new genus and species of Myrtaceae sub-family Leptospermoideae from northern Australia. Austrobaileya 1:43-46.

Briggs, B.G., & Johnson, L.A.S. (1979). Evolution in the Myrtaceae - evidence from inflorescence structure. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Ser. 2, 102:157-256.

Brophy, J.J. & Doran, J.C. (1996). 'Essential Oils of Tropical Asteromyrtus, Callistemon and Melaleuca Species.' ACIAR Monograph No. 40, (ACIAR: Canberra.), 144 pp.

Chippendale, G.M. (1988). Myrtaceae - Eucalyptus, Angophora. In 'Flora of Australia.' Vol. 19, (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.), pp. 1-540.

Clarkson, J.R. & Thompson, J. (1989). A revision of the genus Neofabricia (Myrtaceae). Telopea 3:291-300.

Craven, L.A. (1988). Reinstatement and revision of Asteromyrtus (Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 1:373-385.

Craven, L.A. (1990). One new species each in Acmena and Eucalyptopsis and a new name in Lindsayomyrtus (all Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 3:727-732.

Craven, L.A. & Biffin, E. (2010) An infrageneric classification of Syzygium (Myrtaceae). Blumea 55:94-99.

Craven, L.A., Biffin, E. & Ashton, P.S. (2006) Acmena, Acmenosperma, Cleistocalyx, Piliocalyx & Waterhousea formally transferred to Syzygium (Myrtaceae). Blumea 51: 131-142.

Cronquist, A. (1981), Myrtaceae. An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants. 639. Columbia University Press.

Dawson, J.W. (1974). Pacific capsular Myrtaceae 9. The Metrosideros complex: M. queenslandica group. Blumea 22:151-153.

Dawson, J.W. (1976). Pacific capsular Myrtaceae XI. Redefinition of Metrosideros Banks ex Gaertn. and definition of infrageneric categories. Blumea 23:7-11.

Floyd, A.G. (1973). NSW Rain Forest Trees, Part III Family Myrtaceae. Forest Commission of NSW Research Note No. 28, 79 pp.

Floyd, A.G. (1989). Myrtaceae. In 'Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia.' (Inkata Press: Melbourne.), pp. 238-270.

Ford, A.J., Craven, L.A. & Brophy, J.J. (2005) Backhousia enata A.J.Ford, Craven & J.Holmes (Myrtaceae), a new species from north-eastern Queensland. Austrobaileya 7(1): 121-125.

George, A.S. (1988). Myrtaceae. In 'Flora of Australia.' Vol. 19, (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.), p. 1.

Guymer, G.P. (1988a), Rhodamnia pauciovulata, a new species of Myrtaceae from Queensland. Austrobaileya 2(5): 515-516.

Guymer, G.P. (1988b). A new species of Backhousia Hook. & Harvey (Myrtaceae) from Queensland and a reappraisal of Backhousia floribunda A.J. Scott. Austrobaileya 2:567-569.

Guymer, G.P. (1991). Revision of the Rhodomyrtus trineura (F. Muell.) F. Muell. ex Benth. (Myrtaceae) species complex. Austrobaileya 3:377-387.

Guymer, G.P. & Jessup, L.W. (1986). New species of Rhodamnia Jack (Myrtaceae) from Australia. Austrobaileya 2:228-234.

Harden, G.J. (Ed.) (1991). Myrtaceae. In 'Flora of New South Wales.' Vol. 2, (New South Wales University Press: Kensington.), pp. 71-197.

Harden, G.J., Nicholson, H.R.W., McDonald, W.J.F., Nicholson, N.J., Tame, T. & Williams, J. (2014). Rainforest Plants of Australia. Rockhampton to Victoria. Gwen Harden Publishing.

Harrington, M.G. & Gadek, P. A. (2004). Molecular systematics of the Acmena alliance (Myrtaceae): phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary implications with reference to Australian taxa. Australian Systematic Botany 17: 63-72.

Harrington, M.G., Jackes, B.R., Barrett, M.D., Craven, L.A. & Barrett, R.L. (2012). Phylogenetic revision of Backhousieae (Myrtaceae): Neogene divergence, a revised circumscription of Backhousia and two new species. Australian Systematic Botany 25: 412-414.

Hartley, T.G. & Perry, L.M. (1973). A provisional key and enumeration of species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Papuasia. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 54:160-227.

Hill, K.D. & Johnson, L.A.S. (1995). Systematic studies in the eucalypts. 7. A revision of the bloodwoods, genus Corymbia (Myrtaceae). Telopea 6:185-504.

Hyland, B.P.M. (1983). A revision of Syzygium and allied genera (Myrtaceae) in Australia. Australian Journal of Botany, Supplement Series No. 9:1-164.

Hyland, B.P.M. & Steenis, C.G.G.J. van (1973). The generic identity of Xanthostemon brachyandrus C.T. White: Lindsayomyrtus novum genus (Myrtaceae). Blumea 21:189-192.

Johnson, L.A.S. & Briggs, B.G. (1983). Myrtaceae. In Morley, B.D. & Toelken, H.R. (Eds). 'Flowering Plants in Australia.' (Rigby Publishers: Adelaide.), pp. 175-185.

Johnson, L.A.S. & Briggs, B.G. (1984). Myrtales and Myrtaceae - a phylogenetic analysis. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Gardens 71:700-756.

Lauterbach, C. (1910). Myrtaceae. Nova Guinea, Botany 8:319-323.

Little, E.L., Jr. & Wadsworth, F.H. (1964). Myrtle family (Myrtaceae). In 'Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.' (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service: Washington, D.C.), pp. 396-417.

Little, E.L., Woodbury, R.O. & Wadsworth, F.H. (1974). Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae). In 'Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.' Vol. 2, (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service: Washington, D.C.), pp. 622-695.

Merrill, E.D. & Perry, L.M. (1938a). A synopsis of Acmena DC., a valid genus of the Myrtaceae. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 19:1-20.

Merrill, E.D. & Perry, L.M. (1938b). The Myrtaceae of China. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 19:191-247.

Scott, A.J. (1978a). A new species of Myrtella from Australia and a synopsis of the genus. Kew Bulletin 33:299-302.

Scott, A.J. (1978b). A revision of Rhodomyrtus (Myrtaceae). Kew Bulletin 33:311-329.

Scott, A.J. (1979a). A revision of Rhodamnia (Myrtaceae). Kew Bulletin 33:429-459.

Scott, A.J. (1979b). New species and combinations in Myrtaceae from Malesia and Australia. Kew Bulletin 33:511-515.

Scott, A.J. (1979c). The Austral-Pacific species of Decaspermum (Myrtaceae). Kew Bulletin 34:59-67.

Scott, A.J. (1985). Decaspermum (Myrtaceae) in New Guinea. Kew Bulletin 40:149-165.

Scott, A.J. (1986). A new combination in Uromyrtus (Myrtaceae) from Australia. Kew Bulletin 41:286.

Smith, L.S. (1956). New species of and notes on Queensland plants. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 67:29-40.

Snow, N. (2004). Systematics of Pilidiostigma, Systematic Botany 29: 393-406.

Snow, N. & Guymer, G.P. (1999). Systematic and cladistic studies of Myrtella F.Muell. and Lithomyrtus F. Muell. (Myrtaceae). Austrobaileya 5:173-207.

Snow, N. & Guymer, G.P. (2001). Revision of Australian species of Uromyrtus (Myrtaceae) and two new combinations for New Caledonia. Systematic Botany 26:733-742.

Snow, N., Guymer, G.P. & Sawvel, G. (2003). Systematics of Austromyrtus, Lenwebbia and the Australian species of Gossia (Myrtaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, Vol. 65, 99 pp.

Snow, N. (2007). Systematics of the Australian species of Rhodamnia (Myrtaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, Vol. 82, 69 pp

Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1986). Myrtaceae. In 'Flora of south-eastern Queensland.' Vol. 2, (Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.), pp. 119-218.

Thompson, J. (1983). Redefinitions and nomenclatural changes within the Leptospermum suballiance of Myrtaceae. Telopea 2:379-383.

Thompson, J. (1989). A revision of the genus Leptospermum (Myrtaceae). Telopea 3:301-448.

White, C.T. (1933). Ligneous plants collected for the Arnold Arboretum in North Queensland by S.F. Kajewski in 1929. Contributions from the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 4:1-113.

White, C.T. (1936). Contributions to the Queensland Flora, No. 5. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 47:51-84.

Wilson, P.G. (1990). A revision of the genus Xanthostemon (Myrtaceae) in Australia. Telopea 3:451-476.

Wilson, P.G. (1993a). Thaleropia, a new genus for Metrosideros queenslandica (Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 6:251-259.

Wilson, P.G. (1993b). Xanthostemon arenarius (Myrtaceae), a new species for the Cooktown area. Telopea 5:305-307.

Wilson, P. G. (2011). Myrtaceae. Flowering Plants Eudicots. Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae. In Kubitzki, K.(ed), The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin). Vol. 10, pp. 212-271.

Wilson, P.G. & Hyland, B.P.M. (1988). New taxa of rainforest Myrtaceae from northern Queensland. Telopea 3:257-271.

Wilson, P.G. & Waterhouse, J.T. (1982). A review of the genus Tristania R.Br. (Myrtaceae): a heterogeneous assemblage of five genera. Australian Journal of Botany 30:413-446.

Copyright © CSIRO 2020, all rights reserved.