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MYRTACEAE

MYRTLE FAMILY

Elizabeth McClintock

Tree, shrub, evergreen
Leaves simple, opposite or alternate, entire, often gland-dotted
Inflorescence: umbel, panicle of umbels, or flowers 1–3 in axils
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium cylindric, deltate, ± cup-shaped, or urn-shaped; sepals, petals generally 4–5, free or sometimes fused together to form a deciduous bud cap; stamens generally many, ± showy, borne near top of hypanthium, free or in 4–5 clusters; ovary generally inferior, chambers 1–many, style 1
Fruit: generally berry or capsule
Seeds generally many, small
Genera in family: ± 100 genera, 3000 species: tropical, subtropical, especially s hemisphere; economically important for timber (Eucalyptus ), spices (Syzygium aromaticum , cloves; Pimenta dioica , allspice), edible fruits (Psidium guajava , guava; Feijoa sellowiana , pineapple guava), many ornamental
Reference: [Wilson 1960 J Arnold Arbor 41:270–278]

EUCALYPTUS

GUM TREE

Tree, shrub
Stem generally erect; bark persistent toward base or not, rough, otherwise generally shed, leaving trunk smooth; twigs generally round
Leaves: juvenile opposite, often sessile, sometimes glaucous; adult alternate, petioled, generally narrower, > juvenile
Inflorescence: umbel or panicle of umbels, 3–many-flowered; flowers rarely solitary in axils
Flower: sepals, petals 4–5, fused into a deciduous, generally smooth bud cap; stamens generally white, yellow, pink, or red; ovary chambers 2–7, style < stamens
Fruit: capsule, woody, flat, opening at top
Species in genus: ± 500 species: Australia
Etymology: (Greek: well covered, from deciduous flower bud cap)
Reference: [Chippendale 1988 Fl Australia 19]
Many species cultivated in CA.

Introduced

E. viminalis Labill.

MANNA GUM


Stem 25–50 m, straight; bark sometimes persistent toward base, otherwise generally shed in long, narrow, irregular strips; trunk ± smooth, whitish or tan
Leaf 10–15 cm, 1–2.5 cm wide, lanceolate
Inflorescence: umbel, 3-flowered
Flower: hypanthium 2–3 mm, ovoid, ± = bud cap; bud cap deltate-acute, smooth; stamens white
Fruit 5–7 mm, ± hemispheric; valves exserted
Ecology: Uncommon. Disturbed urban areas
Elevation: < 100 m.
Bioregional distribution: Central Coast
Distribution outside California: native to se Australia
Distinguished from E. globulus, E. camaldulensis, E. tereticornis most readily by inflorescence; commonly cultivated in CA.

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