I will always associate this family -- sometimes called the myrtle family -- with Australia, where so many of its species come from. While I have never been 'down under', many of its plants have thankfully graced the shores of California, giving those of us stateside a chance to enjoy their quirky beauty. Above all, towering eucalyptus trees (above) make an unforgettable impression, for their height (among the world's tallest), their shagginess (witness the shedding bark), and their nasal passage-clearing fragrance, especially after a good rain. Among the prevalent species are blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), silver dollar (Eucalyptus polyanthemos), and red ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon).
Above and below: bottlebrushes (Callistemon) at the entrance of San Lorenzo Park in King City, where I was first introduced to them. The name is self-explanatory.
Below, one of the red flowering gum trees (Corymbia ficifolia) of Pacific Grove that I had pondered for years before learning exactly what they were. A striking tree, both up close and from a distance.
Other unforgettable species are the cajeput tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia) -- striking for its thick, spongy bark resembling reams of slightly crumpled paper -- and the pineapple guava (Feijoas sellowiana), a widespread ornamental shrub related to common guava (Psidium guajava).
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