Family Myrtaceae
Characteristics
- range from woody shrubs to tall trees
- leaves are aromatic, containing oil glands
- flowers may be white, pink, red, purple, yellow. They usually have five sepals and petals and many stamens. The stamens are long and conspicuous
- in eucalypts, the petals and sepals are joined to form a cap over the bud
- fruit is generally woody
- This family was very important to Aboriginal people. Water was collected from the roots of certain mallee eucalypts. The wood and bark of eucalypts and melaleucas was used to make tools and utensils such as shields, spear throwers and bowls. Edible grubs and insects were also provided by some eucalypts.
Four important groups (genera) in the family Myrtaceae are:
- Eucalyptus
- Callistemon
- Melaleuca
- Leptospermum
Flower structure of the genus Callistemon
Flower structure of the genus Melaleuca