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Myristica

{{Short description|Genus of trees in Myristicaceae family}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Myristica_fragrans_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-097.jpg

| image_caption = Myristica fragrans

| taxon = Myristica

| authority = Gronov.

| synonyms =

  • Aruana {{small|Burm.f.}}
  • Comacum {{small|Adans.}}
  • Palala {{small|Rumph. ex Kuntze}}
  • Sebophora {{small|Neck.}}

| synonyms_ref =

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision = >150; see text

}}

Myristica is a genus of trees in the family Myristicaceae. There are over 150 species, distributed in Asia and the western Pacific as far as Vanuatu.[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=121489 Myristica.] Flora of China.{{citation|pages=172-4|title=A guide to the common trees of Vanuatu: With lists of their traditional uses and ni-Vanuatu names|first=J.I.|last=Wheatley|year=1992|publisher=Republic of Vanuatu Department of Forestry}}

The type species of the genus, and the most economically important member, is Myristica fragrans (the nutmeg tree), from which mace is also derived.

Etymology

The name {{linktext|Myristica}} is from the Greek adjective {{transliteration|grc|myristikos}}, meaning ‘fragrant, for anointing’, referring to its early use.{{cite book|last1=Washburn|first1=Homer Charles|last2=Blome|first2=Walter Henry|title=A Text-book on Pharmacognosy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O9jnAAAAMAAJ|year=1936|publisher=Edward Letter |page=77|quote= Myristica, from the Greek "myristikos," of or pertaining to ointments, so named because of its early use as a flavoring for this type of preparations.}}

The adjective is from the noun μύρον myron (‘perfume, ointment, anointing oil’).{{cite book|last=Quattrocchi|first=Umberto|title=CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-37OBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA2596|date= 2016|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4822-5064-0|page=2596|quote= Myristica[...] From the Greek {{transliteration|grc|myristikos}} ‘fragrant, fit for anointing’, {{transliteration|grc|myron}} ‘a perfume, ointment, scent, sweet smelling, sweet oil’, {{transliteration|grc|myrizo}}, {{transliteration|grc|myrizein}} ‘to rub with ointment’}}

Description

All or nearly all species are dioecious. Knuth (1904) however cites a report of trees being male in their sex expression when young and female

later.KNUTH, P., 1904, 1905: Handbuch der Bliitenbiologie 3(1 & 2), (ed. O. ApPEL & E. LOEw)

[not translated]. - Leipzig: Engelmann. Perianth of one whorl of three largely united segments. Stamens two to thirty, partly or wholly united. The ovary is superior, consisting of a single uniovulate carpel.Secondary Pollen Presentation. page 7. Peter Yeo 1993

Species in this genus use secondary pollen presentation (pollen presentation in the flower which does not use an anther), the type of which is {{lang|de|Pollenhaufen}} (German for ‘pollen-heap’), where pollen is in an exposed heap at the base of the flower.

Selected species

{{Main|List of Myristica species|l1=List of Myristica species}}

There are 172 accepted Myristica species as of April 2021 according to Plants of the World Online.{{cite web |title=Myristica Gronov. |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:331788-2 |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=20 April 2021}}

Selected species include:

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Some species of Myristica have been reclassified into the genus Virola by some botanical authorities.

Taxa that have been reassigned, or otherwise removed from the genus include:

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References

{{Reflist}}

  • {{Commons category-inline}}
  • {{Wikispecies-inline}}

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Category:Myristicaceae genera