mərˈtā(ˌ)lēz noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Myrtus + -ales
: an order of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, or trees including among others the Myrtaceae, Melastomaceae, Lythraceae, Rhizophoraceae, and Onagraceae and having simple leaves, flowers with inferior compound ovary and numerous ovules, and capsular or baccate fruit