=5.= CHAMÆLAUCIEÆ. Australian shrubs with heath-like appearance; they
differ from the other Myrtaceæ in having a unilocular ovary with few,
basal ovules, and a 1-seeded _nut_. The sepals are often pappus-like,
and divided into many bristles.--_Chamælaucium_, _Darwinia_, etc.
This large order (2,100 species) is confined almost entirely to
the Tropics, being found principally in America and Australia.
In Europe, only _Myrtus communis_.--Several are useful on
account of the large quantity of _volatile oils_ (contained
in internal glands): the flower-buds (“Cloves”) of _Eugenia
caryophyllata_ (the Moluccas, cultivated in the Tropics, Figs.
523, 524); the unripe, dry berries (“Pimento”) of _Myrtus
pimenta_ (_Pimenta officinalis_, W. Indies); Cajeput oil is
extracted from _Melaleuca minor_ and _leucadendron_ (East
Asian Islands). _Eucalyptus globulus_ (Australia) has of late
years become well known on account of its rapid growth, its
hard wood, and its antipyretic qualities; it is cultivated on
swampy soils, which it helps to drain.--OFFICINAL: “Cloves,”
and the cork of both stem and root of _Punica granatum_.
Several have EDIBLE FRUITS, such as _Psidium guyava_ (Guava,
var. _pomiferum_ and _pyriferum_, Am.), _Eugenia cauliflora_
and others, _E. jambosa_, _Punica granatum_ (the Pomegranate),
etc. EDIBLE SEEDS (with abundance of _fatty oil_): “Brazil
nuts” from _Bertholletia excelsa_ (Trop. S. Am.). “Bay-rum”
is extracted from the leaves and fruits of the Bayberry-tree
(_Pimenta acris_, W. Ind.); Guava-rum from the berries of
_Eugenia floribunda_. _Tannin_ is found in large quantities
_e.g._ in _Punica_. _Gum_ is formed by many Australian Eucalypti
(“Gum-trees”). ORNAMENTAL PLANTS cultivated in this country are:
_Myrtus communis_ (Mediterranean), several in conservatories,
especially the Australian Leptospermeæ, Eucalyptæ and others.