Houseplant myrtle - care at home

Myrtle plant family

Pimenta dioica
Myrtaceae

or the Myrtaceae family is a family of dicotyledonous plants belonging to the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pohutukawa, bay rum, cloves, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice and eucalyptus are some well-known members of this group. All species are woody, contain essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. These sheets are Evergreen, a substitute predominantly opposite, plain and usually solid (i.e. without a jagged edge). These flowers have petals numbering five at the base, although some genera have small or absent petals. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, bright and numerous.

History of evolution[edit]

Scientists suggest that the myrtle family arose between sixty and fifty-six million years ago during the Paleocene epoch. Pollen fossils have been obtained from the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. [2] The breakup of Gondwana during the Cretaceous (145 to 66 Ma) geographically isolated the disjunct taxa and allowed rapid speciation: in particular, genera that were once considered members of the now defunct Leptospermoideae alliance are now isolated in Oceania. [3] In general, experts agree that vicariance is responsible for the differentiation of Myrtaceae taxa, with the exception of Leptospermum.

species currently located on New Zealand and New Caledonia, islands that may have been submerged during the late Eocene differentiation. [2]

Trimming

A young tree should be pinched when it reaches 10–20 cm in height. This will allow the crown to grow densely. An adult bush needs to be formed. To do this, shoots are pruned.

It is advisable to leave more side branches, because the stem is fragile. Garden scissors or pruning shears are pre-disinfected. After this procedure, the plant is fed with fertilizers without chlorine.

Blooms in June and July

Variety[edit]

According to recent estimates, the Myrtaceae include about 5,950 species in approximately 132 genera. [4][5] The family is widespread in tropical and warm temperate regions of the world and is widespread in many biodiversity hotspots. Births with capsule fruits such as Eucalyptus

,
Corymbia
,
Angophora
,
Leptospermum
and
Melaleuca
, are absent from the Americas, with the exception of
Metrosidero
in Chile and Argentina.
Genera with fleshy fruits are most concentrated in eastern Australia and Malesia (Australasian region) and the Neotropics. Eucalyptus
is the dominant, nearly ubiquitous genus in the more mesic parts of Australia and ranges sporadically as far north as the Philippines.
Eucalyptus regnans
is the tallest flowering plant in the world.
Other important Australian genera are Callistemon
(bottle brushes),
Syzygium
and
Melaleuca
(paperbark).
Species of the genus Osbornia
, native to Australasia, are mangrove species.
Eugenia
,
Myrcia
and
Calyptranthes
are among the largest genera of the Neotropics.

Syzygium samarangense

, with a cross section of the fetus

Historically, the myrtaceae have been divided into two subfamilies. The subfamily Myrtoideae (about 75 genera) was found to have fleshy fruits and opposite, entire leaves. Most genera in this subfamily have one of three easily recognizable embryo types. Myrtoideae genera can be very difficult to distinguish in the absence of mature fruit. Myrtoideae are found throughout the world in subtropical and tropical regions, with centers of diversity in the Neotropics, northeastern Australia and Malesia. In contrast, the subfamily Leptospermoideae (about 80 genera) was recognized as having dry, spreading fruits (capsules) and leaves that are spirally arranged or alternate. Leptospermoideae are found primarily in Australasia, with the center of diversity in Australia. Many genera in Western Australia have greatly reduced leaves and flowers, typical of drier habitats.

Features of caring for myrtle at home

Indian onion (Poultaner caudate) as a houseplant

Myrtle is a houseplant, caring for which is not too difficult, but will require attention and a responsible attitude. It is necessary to create suitable conditions of detention. A florist must know how to care for myrtle, how often to water, feed, prune, and replant.

Bonsai

Temperature

It is necessary to firmly know in what climate the myrtle grows: care at home consists of maintaining a favorable temperature regime. In summer, the plant feels great at +23 °C.

In winter, the temperature in the room should not fall below +10 °C.

Lighting

The light-loving myrtle needs abundant diffused lighting, so you need to choose a sunny, but slightly shaded place for it. Direct sunlight can burn its crown and petals.

Ideal for growing indoors

A tree in a tub can be placed on a terrace, balcony, veranda. It is advisable to choose windows facing east or west.

• The south window must be covered with curtains or blinds; this is not the best place for indoor flowers.
• On the north window, the flower will be saved from the summer heat, but in winter it will not have enough light.
• If during the autumn and winter months the myrtle suffers from a lack of light, a lamp should be placed next to it.

Advice! For winter, myrtle can be placed in the kitchen: the temperature and humidity there are higher than in other rooms.

Watering

The tropical flower does not tolerate drought, so it must be watered regularly and abundantly. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. But it’s also worth overwatering the plant, because its roots can rot.

In summer, myrtle is watered daily, and in winter - 1-2 times a week. The water must be left to stand for 24 hours.

Spraying

Myrtle is a plant accustomed to a humid subtropical climate. Therefore, it needs to be sprayed with settled water from a spray bottle every day.

In extreme heat, the plant is sprayed 2-3 times a day. In winter, this needs to be done much less often.

Humidity

There are several ways to help increase air humidity for myrtle. You need to place several bowls of water next to it. You can also place a pot of myrtle on a tray containing wet expanded clay or gravel.

When forming a bush, the crown can be given any shape

Priming

To grow myrtle, you need good soil. It is prepared from several components:

• humus - 20%;
• peat - 30%;
• turf - 30%;
• sand - 20%.

All components are mixed and poured with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Greenhouse soil may also be suitable for cultivation. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot - perlite, expanded clay, vermiculite.

Feeding

During the period from March to October, you need to feed myrtle once every 1–2 weeks. In winter, fertilizing is carried out once a month. For this purpose, both organic and complex mineral fertilizers are used.

Potassium-phosphorus preparations stimulate the flowering of the tree, and nitrogen preparations maintain the small size of the plant.

The tree can be propagated by cuttings or seeds

Taxonomy[edit]

The division of Myrtaceae into Leptospermoideae and Myrtoideae has been challenged by a number of authors, including Johnson and Briggs (1984), who identified 14 tribes or clades within Myrtaceae and found Myrtoideae to be polyphyletic. [6] Molecular studies by several groups of authors, as of 2008, have confirmed that baccata (fleshy) fruits are twice descended from capsular fruits, and therefore the classification of the two subfamilies does not accurately reflect the phylogenetic history of the family. Thus, many researchers are now using the recent analysis of Wilson et al. (2001) as a starting point for further analysis of the family. This study invalidated both Leptospermoideae and Myrtoideae, but retained several smaller suballiances that were found to be monophyletic by matK analysis. [7]

Genera Heteropyxis

and
Psiloxylon have in
the past been classified into separate families by many authors as Heteropyxidaceae and Psiloxylaceae.
[8] [6] However, Wilson et al.
[7] included them in Myrtaceae. These two genera are now considered to be the earliest and most extant lineages of the myrtaceae.

The most recent classification recognizes 17 tribes and two subfamilies, Myrtoideae and Psiloxyloideae, based on phylogenetic analysis of plastid DNA. [9]

Many new species from the entire range of the myrtaceae are described every year. In the same way, new births are described almost every year.

How does myrtle reproduce?

Myrtle propagates by seeds or cuttings. The first method is very labor-intensive and time-consuming. In addition, the seeds do not retain the properties of the mother plant. Therefore, cuttings are much more preferable.

Germination of seeds

Propagation by seeds:

1. Prepare the substrate and water it generously.
2. Sow the seeds and sprinkle them with a thin layer of soil.
3. Cover the box with glass or polyethylene.
4. After 2 weeks, transplant the seedlings into small pots.

Rooting cuttings

Planting cuttings:

1. During one of the prunings, a strong side shoot that does not bloom is taken from the tree.
2. The lower leaves are removed from a cutting 6–10 cm long.
3. At the bottom, the cut is treated with a root growth stimulator. You can put the cuttings in water in which the stimulant is dissolved.
4. The cuttings are rooted in a wet substrate and covered with a plastic bottle.
5. After 3-4 weeks they are transplanted into large pots.

Classification [edit]

After Wilson (2011) [10]

Subfamily Psiloxyloideae

• tribe Psiloxyleae
• tribe Heteropyxideae

Subfamily Myrtoideae

• tribe Xanthostemoneae
• tribe Lophostemoneae
• tribe Osbornieae
• tribe Melaleuceae
• tribe Kanieae
• tribe Backhousieae
• tribe Metrosidereae
• tribe Tristanieae
• tribe Syzygieae
• Myrtean tribe
• tribe Eucalypteae
• tribe Syncarpieae
• tribe Lindsayomyrteae
• tribe Leptospermeae
• tribe Chamelaucieae

Genera [edit]

• Abbevillea
• Acca
• Accara
• Acmena
• Acmenosperm
• Actinodium
• Agonis
• Algrisea
• Allosincarpy
• Aluta
• Amomyrtella
• Amomyrtus
• Angasomyrtus
• Angophora
• Archirhodomyrtus
• Arillastrum
• Astartea
• Asteromyrtus
• Astus
• Austromyrtus
• Babingtonia
• Backhousia
• Baeckea
• Balouston
• Barongia
• Basisperma
• Beaufortia
• Blepharocalyx
• Callistemon
• Calothamnus
• Calicolpus
• CalicoRects
• Calyptrantes
• Calyptrogeny
• Calitrix
• Campomanesia
• Chamelaucius
• Chamguava
• Cheyneana
• Choricarpy
• Cleistocalyx
• Cloezia
• Conothamnus
• Corimbia
• Corynanthera
• Curitiba
• Cyathostemon
• Darwinia
• Decaspermum
• Enekbatus
• Eremaea
• Ericomyrtus
• Eucalyptopsis
• Eucalyptus
• Evgeniya
• Euryomyrtus
• Gomidesia
• Gossia
• Harmogia
• Heteropyxis
• Hexachlamis
• Homalocalix
• Homalospermum
• Homoranthus
• Hot tea
• Hypocalymma
• Canacomyrtus
• Kania
• Cardomia
• Kjellbergiodendron
• Kunzea
• Lamarchy
• Legrandia
• Lenwebbia
• Leptospermum
• Lindsayomyrtus
• Lithomyrthus
• Lofomyrtus
• Lophostemon
• Luma
• Lysicarpus
• Malleostemon
• Marlierea
• Melaleuca
• Meteomyrtus
• Metrosideros
• Micromyrtus
• Mitrantes
• Mithrantia
• Mosiera
• Mirceugenia
• Myrcia
• Myrciantes
• Mirciaria
• Myrrhinium
• Myrtastrum
• Mirtella
• Myrteola
• Myrtus
• Neofabrika
• Neomithrantes
• Neomyrtus
• Ochrosperma
• Octamyrtus
• Osbornia
• Paragonis
• Pericalimma
• Phymatocarpus
• Pileanthus
• Pilidiostigma
• Pimenta
• Pleurocalyptus
• Pliny
• Pseudanamomys
• Psidium
• Psiloxylon
• Purpureostemon
• Regelia
• Rhodamnia
• Rodomyrtus
• Rinzia
• Ristantia
• Sannanta
• Scholtzia
• Seorsus
• Sifoneugena
• Sphaerantia
• Stenostegia
• Stereocarium
• Stockwellia
• Syncarpia
• Syzygy
• Taxandria
• Thaleropia
• Tryptomenes
• Triplarina
• Tristania
• Tristaniopsis
• Ugni
• Uromyrthus
• Verticordia
• Waterhousea
• Velchiodendron
• Whitedendron
• Xanthomyrtus
• Xanthostemon

Links[edit]

1. Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An updated classification of the angiosperm phylogenetic group for orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
   .
   161
   (2):105–121. DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x.
2. ^ab Thornhill, Andrew H.; Ho, Simon Y. W.; Kühlheim, Karsten; Crisp, Michael D. (December 2015). "Interpretation of the modern distribution of the Myrtaceae using a dated molecular phylogeny". Molecular phylogenetics and evolution
   .
   93
   : 29–43. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.07.007. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 26211451.
3. Sytsma, Kenneth J.; Litt, Amy; Zjhra, Michelle L.; Chris Pires, J.; Nepokroev, Molly; Conti, Elena; Walker, Jay; Wilson, Peter G. (July 2004). "Hoards, watches and continents: a historical and biogeographic analysis of the Myrtaceae, Vochysiaceae and relatives in the Southern Hemisphere". International Journal of Plant Sciences
   .
   165
   (S4): S85 – S105. DOI: 10.1086/421066. ISSN 1058-5893. S2CID 62825431.
4. Christenhusz, M. J. M.; Bing, J. W. (2016). "Number of known plant species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotax
   .
   Magnolia Press. 261
   (3):201–217. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.
5. Govaerts, R. et al. (12 additional authors). 2008. World Checklist of Myrtaceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. xv + 455 s.
6. ^ ab Johnson, Los Angeles; Briggs, B.G. (1984). "Myrtales and Myrtaceae - Phylogenetic Analysis". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden
   .
   71
   (3): 700. DOI: 10.2307/2399159. ISSN 0026-6493. JSTOR 2399159.
7. ^ ab Wilson, Peter J.; O'Brien, Marcel M.; Gadek, Paul A.; Quinn, Christopher J. (2001). "The Myrtaceae Revisited: A Reassessment of Intrafamilial Groups". American Journal of Botany
   .
   88
   (11): 2013–2025. DOI: 10.2307/3558428. JSTOR 3558428.
8. Sietsma, Kenneth J. and Amy Litt. 2002. Tropical disjunctions within and among the Myrtaceae clade (Myrtaceae, Heteropyxidaceae, Psiloxylaceae, Vochysiaceae): Gondwanan vicariance or dispersal? (Abstract). 2002 Botany Conference, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, August 4–7, 2002.
9. Wilson, P.G.; O'Brien, MM; Haslewood, MM; Quinn, C. J. (2005). "Relationships within Myrtaceae sensu lato based on matK phylogeny". Systematics and evolution of plants
   .
   251
   : 3–19. DOI: 10.1007/s00606-004-0162-y. S2CID 23470845.
10. Jump up
    ↑ Wilson, PG (2011) Myrtaceae. In families and genera of vascular plants. Volume X. Sapindales, Cucurbitales, Myrtaceae, edited by K. Kubicki, X: 212–71. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2011.
11. Hilario, SD; Imperatriz-Fonseca, V. L. (2009). "Pollen collection in Melipona bicolor (Apidae, Meliponini) colonies: effects of season, colony size and queen number". Genetics and Molecular Research
    .
    8
    (2):664–671. DOI: 10.4238/vol8-2kerr029. PMID 19554765.

Transfer

Young trees need to be replanted once a year. Their root system grows wider, so they require a larger pot (3.5 cm wider).

Mature and old trees can live in one tub for 3–4 years. Transplantation is carried out in winter, when the plant is dormant. Drainage and fresh soil are prepared in a new wide container. After this, the myrtle must be removed from the previous pot and transplanted into a new one. After this, it is watered and fed.

Purple or white fruits

External links [edit]

• Data related to Myrtaceae at Wikispecies

Literature[ | ]

• Myrtaceae // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
• Family Myrtaceae - Myrtaceae // Flora of the USSR: in 30 volumes / started under the leadership of. and under chap. ed. V. L. Komarova. - M.; L.: Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1949. - T. 15 / ed. volumes B.K. Shishkin, E.G. Bobrov. — P. 554-555. — 742 p. — 4000 copies.
• Nemirovich-Danchenko E. N.
  Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) // Plant life: in 6 volumes / ch. ed. A. L. Takhtadzhyan. - M.: Education, 1981. - T. 5. Part 2: Flowering plants / ed. A. L. Takhtadzhyan. - pp. 216-222. — 512 s. — 300,000 copies.