The Myrtales are an order of flowering plants placed as a basal group within the rosid group of dicotyledons (not a member of eurosids I or eurosids II). The following families are typical of newer classifications:

The 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.