myrtle

Myrtle refers to evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Myrtaceae, most commonly the genus Myrtus. The best known species is Myrtus communis, the common myrtle, native to the Mediterranean region and parts of western Asia. It has been cultivated for centuries for its aromatic leaves and berries, and for use as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.

Description and characteristics: Myrtle plants are evergreen, with opposite, simple leaves that are typically oval, glossy, and aromatic due to essential oils. Flowers are small and usually white or pale pink, with four or five petals and numerous prominent stamens, giving a fluffy appearance. The fruit is a dark blue-black berry containing several seeds. Plants are generally vigorous, suitable for hedges, borders, or container culture, and can grow as shrubs or small trees reaching several metres in height in favorable climates.

Cultivation and range: Myrtle tolerates hot, dry conditions and well-drained soils, and it prefers full sun. It is drought-tolerant once established and can withstand mild frost in temperate regions. It is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, parts of Africa and Asia, and in other regions with similar climates, including parts of North America and Australasia.

Uses and cultural significance: Leaves and berries have historically been used in flavoring foods and liqueurs, and the plant yields essential oils used in perfumery and cosmetics. In ancient Greece and Rome, myrtle branches and wreaths symbolized love, immortality, and domestic virtue, a symbolism that persists in some cultural contexts.

Notes: The term myrtle is sometimes applied to other evergreen shrubs with similar foliage, but the true myrtle belongs to the genus Myrtus; crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is not a true myrtle.