Amomyrtus is a small genus of two species of evergreen shrubs and small trees belonging to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, in the order Myrtales. The genus was formally described in 1948 and is endemic to temperate southern South America, occurring in Chile and Argentina, where both species are characteristic elements of the Valdivian and Magellanic temperate rainforests.
Plants in the genus bear large, white flowers with abundant pollen — a trait shared with many myrtaceous relatives — and produce fleshy black fruits containing one to three seeds. They are self-compatible, meaning individual plants can set fruit without cross-pollination. The foliage is aromatic, consistent with the genus name's reference to fragrance.
The two accepted species are Amomyrtus luma (commonly known as luma or palo blanco) and Amomyrtus meli (meli). Both are native to the cool, wet forests of the Southern Cone and have been used regionally for timber and other purposes.
Etymology
The name Amomyrtus is a compound of the Greek amos ("very fragrant") and Myrtus, the name of the broader myrtle family to which these plants belong — meaning, in effect, "very fragrant myrtle."
Distribution
Amomyrtus is native to temperate southern South America, with both species distributed across Chile and the adjacent regions of Argentina. The genus is associated with the cool, humid Valdivian and Magellanic temperate rainforest zones.
