gum trees




pronounced: mir-TAY-see-eye

the gum family


Μυρτος (myrtos) was the Greek name for the myrtle tree, the Myrtus genus. This is a northern hemisphere genus, although many members of the family, especially the eucalypts, are native to the southern hemisphere. Members of the family range from woody shrubs to tall trees, all with aromatic leaves containing oil glands, and usually having entire margins. The flowers usually have 5 sepals and 5 petals, and many stamens, which are long and conspicuous, and often brightly coloured. In the eucalypts, the petals and sepals are joined to form a cap over the bud. The fruits are generally woody, e.g. gumnuts.


Photograph © Donald Simpson 2005