the myrtle family of shrubs and trees, in the order Myrtales, containing about 150 genera and 3,300 species that are widely distributed in the tropics. They have rather leathery evergreen leaves with oil glands. Some members of economic importance are the Eucalyptus, guava, rose apple, Surinam cherry, and feijoa. Allspice, clove, and oil of bay rum are spices derived from plants of this family. Other members of the family include Brisbane box, Callistemon, Eugenia, Leptospermum, myrtle, and jaboticaba (qq.v.).