桃金娘属 tao jin niang shu

Myrtus sect. Rhodomyrtus Candolle, Prodr. 3: 240. 1828.

Shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, tripliveined, petiolate. Inflorescences axillary, 1[-3]-flowered. Hypanthium ovoid to subglobose. Calyx lobes 4 to 5, leathery, persistent. Petals 4 or 5, larger than calyx lobes. Stamens many, separate, in many whorls, usually shorter than petals; anthers dorsifixed to nearly basifixed, versatile, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary inferior, adnate to hypanthium, 3(or 4)-loculed; ovules arranged in 2 lines in each locule. Style linear; stigma capitate or peltate. Berry ovoid, urceolate, or globose. Seeds many, flat, reniform, separated by longitudinal septa and a false transverse septum; seed coat hard; embryo curved or spiral; hypocotyl long; cotyledons small.

About 18 species: tropical Asia, Australia, SW Pacific islands; one species in China.

Lower Taxon

• Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hasskarl