Acmena is a genus of shrubs and trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. They are related to guavas. The name is derived from the Greek word for “plentiful.”
The name was first validly published in 1828.[1] The species of this genus have sometimes been treated as part of the large Old World genus Syzygium[1] (which in turn has sometimes been included in Eugenia, although many authors limit Eugenia mostly to New World species[2]). Several 2006 papers include Acmena in Syzygium.[1][3]
There are 15 species; six are endemic to Australia, and a seventh occurs there. The remaining species are native to Malesia.
The Australian species are commonly labelled as lilly pillies, along with the Australian Syzygiums
Acmena is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Aenetus ligniveren, which burrows into the trunk.
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