myrtaceae or the myrtle family is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order myrtales. myrtle, pohutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. all species are woody, contain essential oils, and have flower parts in multiples of four or five. the leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually entire (i.e., without a toothed margin). the flowers have a base number of five petals, though in several genera the petals are minute or absent. the stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured and numerous.