myrtle

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


The true Myrtle, Myrtuscommunis, is a native of Asia, but has long beennaturalised in Europe, especially on the shores of theMediterranean. The name is applied to many genera of thefamily, N.O. Myrtaceae, and has been transferred to manyother trees not related to that order. In Australia the name,with various epithets, is applied to the following trees – – Backhousia citriodora, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtaceae,called the Scrub Myrtle and Native Myrtle.

Backhousia myrtifolia, Hook. and Herv., N.O. Myrtaceae, called Scrub Myrtle, or NativeMyrtle, or Grey Myrtle, and also Lancewood.

Diospyrus pentamera, F. v. M., N.O. Ebenaceae,the Black Myrtle and Grey Plum of Northern NewSouth Wales.

Eugenia myrtifolia, Sims, N.O. Myrtaceae,known as Native Myrtle, Red Myrtle and BrushCherry.

Eugenia ventenatii, Benth., N.O. Myrtaceae,the Drooping Myrtle or Large-leaved Water-gum.

Melaleuca decussata, R. Br., N.O. Myrtaceae.

Melaleuca genistifolia, Smith, N.O. Myrtaceae,which is called Ridge Myrtle, and in Queensland Ironwood.

Myoporum serratum, R. Br., N.O. Myoporineae,which is called Native Myrtle; and also called Blue-berry Tree, Native Currant, NativeJuniper, Cockatoo-Bush, and by the aborigines Palberry.

Myrtus acmenioides, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtaceae,which is the White Myrtle of the Richmond and ClarenceRivers (New South Wales), and is also called Lignum-vitae.

Rhodamnia argentea, Benth., N.O. Myrtaceae,called White Myrtle, the Muggle-muggleof the aboriginals of Northern New South Wales.

Syncarpia leptopetala, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtaceae,which is called Myrtle and also Brush-Turpentine.

Tristania neriifolia, R. Br., N.O. Myrtaceae,called Water Myrtle, and also Water Gum.

Trochocarpa laurina, R. Br., N.O. Epacrideae,called Brush-Myrtle, Beech and BrushCherry.

In Tasmania, all the Beeches are called Myrtles,and there are extensive forests of the Beech Faguscunninghamii, Hook., which is invariably called «Myrtle» by the colonists of Tasmania.

1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees,' p. 206:

Table of Tasmanian Woods.

Hgt. Dia. Where found. Use.ft. in.

Scented Myrtle 15 6 Low, marshy Seldom used

Red «40 12 Swampy As pine

White» 20 9 Low, marshy House-carpentry

Yellow «20 9» «do.

Brown» 20 30 » do. andjoiners' planes

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