Myrtus communis | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Myrtus |
Species: | M. communis
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Binomial name | |
Myrtus communis | |
Synonyms[1] | |
List
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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.[2]
Description
[edit]The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall.[3] The leaves are 2–5 centimetres (1–2 in) long, with a fragrant essential oil.[3]
The flowers are white or tinged with pink, with five petals and many stamens that protrude from the flower.[3] The fruit is an edible berry, blue-black when ripe.[3]
The essential oils derived from this plant have anti-proliferative and anti-quorum sensing properties, helping against food spoilage.[4] The berries are also macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur.
This species[5] and the more compact M. communis subsp. tarentina[6] have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7] They are hardy but prefer a sheltered position in full sun.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Stamp_of_Israel_-_Thirteenth_Independence_Day_-_0.07IL.jpg/100px-Stamp_of_Israel_-_Thirteenth_Independence_Day_-_0.07IL.jpg)
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Myrtle plant.
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Myrtle foliage.
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Myrtle berries.
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Myrtle pot.
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Berries macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur.
See also
[edit]- Austromyrtus dulcis (Midgen berry)
- Ugni molinae (Chilean guava berry)
References
[edit]- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 13 August 2016
- ^ USDA GRIN Taxonomy, retrieved 13 August 2016
- ^ a b c d Cretan Flora: An illustrated guide to the flora of Crete, retrieved 13 August 2016
- ^ 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.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder – Myrtus communis". Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder – Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina". Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 10 April 2018.