Syncarpia is a small group of trees in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) described as a genus in 1839.Tenore, Michele. 1839. Index Seminum in Horto Botanico Neapolitano: app. 12Tropicos, Syncarpia Ten.Australian Plant Name Index They are native to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesGovaerts, R., Sobral, N., Ashton, P., Barrie, F., Holst, B.K., Landrum, L.L., Matsumoto, K., Fernanda Mazine, F., Nic Lughadha, E., Proença, C. & al. (2008). World Checklist of Myrtaceae: 1-455. Kew Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
They are unusual among the Myrtaceae in that the leaves are opposite rather than alternate as is the norm for the family.
The species are commonly known as turpentine trees due to the odour of their resin.
Species Syncarpia glomulifera (Sm.) Nied. in H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl - Queensland, New South Wales; naturalized in Hawaii and in parts of Africa Syncarpia hillii F.M.Bailey - Queensland, New South Wales Syncarpia verecunda A.R.Bean - Queensland
S. glomulifera is considered a weed in Hawaii.
Formerly included now in Choricarpia Xanthostemon Syncarpia leptopetala - Choricarpia leptopetala Syncarpia subargentea - Choricarpia subargentea Syncarpia vertholenii - Xanthostemon verus
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