e-Key v3 - *Myrtus
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Myrtaceae - *Myrtus L.

Description :

  • Evergreen aromatic shrubs
  • Leaves opposite or in whorls; leathery, glabrous
  • Flowers axillary, solitary or in short cymes
  • Sepals 5, somewhat connate at base
  • Petals 5, spreading, white
  • Stamens many, free, in several rows; connective usually gland-tipped
  • Ovary inferior, with 2 or 3 locules almost or completely separated; ovules many in each locule, campylotropous; style filiform; stigma mostly small
  • Fruit a 2- or 3-celled berry, crowned with persistent calyx lobes
  • Seeds reniform
  • x = 11

Nomenclature:

  • *Myrtus L.
    • Linnaeus: 471 (1753)
    • Adamson: 604 (1950)
    • Zohary: 371 (1972)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species ± 100, mainly in South America and Australia;
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: * Myrtus communis L., naturalised around Cape Town and Paarl (Western Cape)

References:

  • ADAMSON, R.S. 1950. Myrtaceae . In R.S. Adamson & T.M. Salter, Flora of the Cape Peninsula . Juta, Cape Town
  • LINNAEUS, C. 1753. Species plantarum . Laurentius Salvius, Stockholm
  • ZOHARY, M. 1972. Flora palaestina 2, text