Myrtus communis

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Myrtus communis
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Myrtus
Species:	M. communis
Binomial name
Myrtus communis L.
Synonyms
List Myrtus acuta Mill. Myrtus acutifolia (L.) Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus angustifolia Raf. nom. illeg. Myrtus augustini Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus aurantiifolia Grimwood nom. illeg. Myrtus baetica (L.) Mill. Myrtus baui Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus belgica (L.) Mill. Myrtus borbonis Sennen Myrtus briquetii (Sennen & Teodoro) Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus christinae (Sennen & Teodoro) Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus eusebii (Sennen & Teodoro) Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus gervasii (Sennen & Teodoro) Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus italica Mill. Myrtus josephi Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus lanceolata Raf. nom. illeg. Myrtus latifolia Raf. nom. illeg. Myrtus littoralis Salisb. Myrtus macrophylla J.St.-Hil. Myrtus major Garsault nom. inval. Myrtus media Hoffmanns. Myrtus microphylla J.St.-Hil. Myrtus minima Mill. Myrtus minor Garsault nom. inval. Myrtus mirifolia Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus oerstedeana O.Berg Myrtus petri-ludovici (Sennen & Teodoro) Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus rodesi Sennen & Teodoro Myrtus romana (L.) Hoffmanns. Myrtus romanifolia J.St.-Hil. Myrtus sparsifolia O.Berg Myrtus theodori Sennen Myrtus veneris Bubani Myrtus vidalii (Sennen & Teodoro) Sennen & Teodoro

Myrtus communis, the common myrtle or true myrtle, is an Old World species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It forms an evergreen shrub.

Description

The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 metres (16 feet) tall. The leaves are 2–5 centimetres (1–2 in) long, with a fragrant essential oil.

The flowers are white or tinged with pink, with five petals and many stamens that protrude from the flower. The fruit is an edible berry that is blue-black when ripe.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Cultivation

This species and the more compact M. communis subsp. tarentina have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. They are hardy but prefer a sheltered position in full sun.

The plant can be propagated with seeds stratified for 3 months. Also, one can use a cutting with a short heel (small part of the bark), keeping it in moistened rooting mix.

Uses

The essential oils derived from this plant have anti-proliferative and anti-quorum sensing properties, helping against food spoilage. The berries are also macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur.

• 
  Myrtle plant
• 
  Foliage
• 
  Inflorescence
• 
  Berries
• 
  Myrtle pot
• 
  Berries macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur

References