Rhodomyrtus

(de Candolle) Reichenbach

Deut. Bot. Herb.-Buch, 177. 1841.

Etymology: Greek rhodon, rose or red, and genus Myrtus, alluding to flower color
Basionym: Myrtus sect. Rhodomyrtus de Candolle in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle Prodr. 3: 240. 1828
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 10.

Shrubs or trees, pubescent, hairs simple. Leaves opposite; blade venation brochidodromous to acrodromous. Inflorescences 1- or 3[–7]-flowered, axillary, solitary flowers or dichasia. Flowers 4- or 5(–7)-merous, pedicellate; hypanthium campanulate; calyx lobes persistent, distinct; petals pink or red [whitish]; stamens ca. 150; ovary [1–]3 [or 4]-locular (false septae causing ovary to appear to have 2 times number of locules in fruit); placenta axile or parietal; ovules 16–20 per locule. Fruits berries, purplish black, subglobose, ellipsoidal, or elongate-cylindrical. Seeds usually 20+, reniform, in compact, stacklike rows, each seed surrounded by false, longitudinal and horizontal septae; seed coat hardened but porous; embryo C-shaped; cotyledons linear, shorter than hypocotyl.

Distribution

Introduced; Florida, s, se Asia (Borneo, Celebes Islands, India, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Malaya, Moluccas, New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Sumatra), Pacific Islands (New Caledonia, Philippines), e Australia.

Discussion

Species ca. 11 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

... more about "Rhodomyrtus"
Leslie R. Landrum +
(de Candolle) Reichenbach +
Myrtus sect. Rhodomyrtus +
Florida +, s +, se Asia (Borneo +, Celebes Islands +, India +, Java +, Lesser Sunda Islands +, Malaya +, Moluccas +, New Guinea +, Sri Lanka +, Sumatra) +, Pacific Islands (New Caledonia +, Philippines) +  and e Australia. +
Greek rhodon, rose or red, and genus Myrtus, alluding to flower color +
Deut. Bot. Herb.-Buch, +
Rhodomyrtus +
Myrtaceae +