Myrtus communis

Myrtus communis, the common myrtle or true myrtle, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It is an evergreen shrub native to southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and also cultivated.^[3]

Myrtus communis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[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[2]
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

The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall.^[4] The leaves are 2–5 centimetres (1–2 in) long, with a fragrant essential oil.^[4]

The flowers are white or tinged with pink, with five petals and many stamens that protrude from the flower.^[4] The fruit is an edible berry, blue-black when ripe.^[4]

The essential oils derived from this plant have anti-proliferative and anti-quorum sensing properties, helping against food spoilage.^[5] The berries are also macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur.

This species^[6] and the more compact M. communis subsp. tarentina^[7] have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[8] They are hardy but prefer a sheltered position in full sun.

The plant can be propagated with seeds stratified for 3 months.^[9] Also, one can use a cutting with a short heel (small part of the bark), keeping it in moistened rooting mix.^[10]

• 
  Myrtle plant
• 
  Foliage
• 
  Berries
• 
  Myrtle pot
• 
  Berries macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur
• 
  Israeli stamp featuring Myrtus communis

References

1. Chadburn, H.; Wilson, B. (2018). "Myrtus communis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T203365A119997141. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T203365A119997141.en. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
2. The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 13 August 2016
3. USDA GRIN Taxonomy, retrieved 13 August 2016
4. Cretan Flora: An illustrated guide to the flora of Crete, retrieved 13 August 2016
5. Myszka, Kamila; Sobieszczańska, Natalia; Olejnik, Anna; Majcher, Małgorzata; Szwengiel, Artur; Wolko, Łukasz; Juzwa, Wojciech (June 2020). "Studies on the anti-proliferative and anti-quorum sensing potentials of Myrtus communis L. essential oil for the improved microbial stability of salmon-based products". LWT. 127: 109380. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109380.
6. "RHS Plantfinder – Myrtus communis". Retrieved 10 April 2018.
7. "RHS Plantfinder – Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina". Retrieved 10 April 2018.
8. "AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
9. "Myrtus communis L." (PDF). Lebanon Flora.
10. "RNZIH - Plant Doctor - Myrtle cuttings".