Combretaceae and Myrtaceae- Introduction

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Combretaceae


Combretaceae is a family of exclusively arborescent taxa, consisting of tall trees (Terminalia), or woody twiners of lianas, such as Combretum and Quisqualis. It consists of about 20 genera and 600 species distributed mainly in the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. 8 genera and about 45 species have been reported from India, chiefly from Assam and West Bengal. 
Selected Indian genera are- 
    • Combretum, 
    • Lumnitzera, 
    • Quisqualis and 
    • Terminalia. 
    • Lumnitzera littoria is found as a mangrove plant in the Sunderban and other tidal forests of India.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE


Ornamental Value
Favourite ornamental plants of this family include: 
    • Bucida bucerus (black olive tree), 
    • few species of Combretum which are scant shrubs, 
    • Quisqualis indica (rangoon creeper) and 
    • Terminalia arjuna (arjun).

Timber
Valuable timber used in construction work is obtained from: 
    • Anogeissus acuminate, 
    • A. latifolia and 
    • Several species of Terminalia, such as: 
    • T. alata, 
    • T. bialata, 
    • T. catappa, 
    • T. ivorensis (indigo timber), 
    • T. myriocarpa, 
    • T. paniculata, 
    • T. procera and 
    • T. tomentosa.

Medicinal Value
    1. Bark of Terminalia arjuna is highly valued as a cardiac tonic;
    2. Terminalia bellici (belleric myroblans) and T. chebula (black myroblans) are two constituents of 'Triphala' the famous Ayurvedic Indian preparation along with Phyllanthus emblica (Amla) of family Euphorbiaceae as its third constituent;
    3. Leaves of Calycopteris floribunda are used in dysentery and malarial fever;
    4. Leaves of Combretum acuminatum are anthelmintic while that of C. roxburghii are used in malarial fever.
Tanning and dyeing
The bark and fruit of Terminalis alata, T. arjuna, T. catalpa, T. chebula, T. ivorensis and T. citrina are used for tanning and dyeing purposes.

Edible nuts
Nuts of Terminalia catalpa (Indian almond) are edible.








Myrtaceae
(Myrtle family)




The family includes trees and shrubs varying from small creepers  to giant Eucalyptus reaching to towering height of 300-400 feet. Lysigenous cavities containing ethereal oils are present in young stem, leaves floral parts and fruits. It has about 140 genera and 3,400 species, distributed mainly in subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Family is particularly abundant in Australia where some Eucalyptus trees are world's largest angiosperms. Myrtaceae is represented in India by 15 genera and over 170 species. Beautiful pinkish flowers of Myrtus communis are considered highly sacred by Greeks, Egyptians, Jews and Persians, and are used in religious rites and ceremonies. 
Some selected Indian genera are- 
    • Callistemon, 
    • Eucalyptus, 
    • Myrtus, 
    • Psidium and 
    • Syzygium.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Edible fruits
    • Psidium guajava (Guava or amrud) 
    • P. cattleianum (strawberry guava)
    •  Eugenia uniflora (Surinam cherry)
    • Feijoa sellowiana (feijoa)
    • Myriciaria cauliflora (jaboticabo fruit) and
    • Syzygium cumini syn. Eugenia jambolana (jamun or jambolan) are some of the common delicious fruits.
Oil Plants
    • Eucalyptus oil obtained from Eucalyptus globules, E. citridora and several other species is used widely in medicine, perfumery and other industries,
    • Clove oil is obtained from dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove tree),
    • Cajuput oil is obtained from the leaves of Malaleuca leucadendron,
    • Oil of bay rum is obtained from leaves and flower buds of Pimenta racemosa.
Spices
Cloves are the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum , while all spice are the unripe berries of Pimenta dioica.

Ornamental plants


 

Hundreds of species of Eucalyptus are grown as ornamental plants. Other garden ornamentals of Myrtaceae include-
    • Callistemon lanceolatum (bottle brush)
    • C. linearis
    • C. viminalis
    • Myrtus communis (myrtle)
    • Leptospermum laevigatum (Australian tea tree)
    • Melaleuca leucadendron (cajuput tree) and
    • Tristania conferta (Brisbane box)
Timber
Valuable timber is obtained from several species of: 
    • Eucalyptus, 
    • Eugenia, 
    • Barringtonia and 
    • Coreya.

Paper
Eucalyptus wood is used for paper manufacturing.

Gum
Valuable gum is obtained from: 
    • Eucalyptus globules (blue gum), 
    • E. maculata (Citron gum) and 
    • E. rostrata (red gum).






 



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