Myrtaceae

Evergreen trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, opposite or sometimes whorled, often dimorphic, simple, usually entire, dotted with small, conspicuous oil glands and often aromatic; stipules minute and caducous, or absent. Inflorescences variable, flowers lateral, terminal or in umbels or panicles, sometimes aggregated into head- or spike-like conflorescences. Flowers actinomorphic (in Victoria), rarely zygomorphic, usually bisexual, perigynous, often subtended by a pair of bracteoles; sepals usually 4 or 5, often reduced to persistent projections on rim of hypanthium; petals usually 4 or 5, often imbricate in bud then spreading, usually free, falling after anthesis; sepals and/or petals sometimes fused to form 1, or occasionally 2, opercula (in Eucalyptus); stamens 5–numerous, perigynous to almost epigynous, free or in bundles opposite the petals; anthers versatile or adnate, opening by longitudinal slits or by pores; ovary almost inferior to almost superior, 1–10-celled; style simple, usually short, sometimes long and bearded; stigma narrow or capitate. Fruit usually a loculicidal capsule fused to the ovary and opening at the apex, sometimes a nut or berry, rarely a schizocarp or drupe (neither in Victoria); seeds 1–many, variable in structure, lacking albumen; embryo straight, bent, curved or coiled.