The Myrtales are an order of flowering plants placed within the rosid group of dicotyledons. The following families are typical of newer classifications:

  • Family Myrtaceae (myrtle family)
  • Family Vochysiaceae
  • Family Psiloxylaceae
  • Family Heteropyxidaceae
  • Family Melastomataceae
  • Family Memecyclaceae
  • Family Oliniaceae
  • Family Penaeaceae
  • Family Rhynchocalycaceae
  • Family Alzateaceae
  • Family Crypteroniaceae
  • Family Onagraceae (evening primrose family)
  • Family Lythraceae (loosestrife family)
  • Family Combretaceae

The older Cronquist system gives essentially the same composition, except the Vochysiaceae are removed to the order Polygalales, and the Thymelaeaceae are included. The families Sonneratiaceae, Trapaceae, and Punicaceae are removed from the Lythraceae, while the Psioxylaceae and Heteropyxidaceae are treated within the Myrtaceae, and the Memecyclaceae within the Melastomataceae.\n