The Myrtle Family
What are they?
A large family of mostly tropical or subtropical, mostly evergreen, trees and shrubs. Many species are highly aromatic in their foliage due to the presence of volatile oils.
Where are they found?
A few species are grown in the UK as ornamentals and the family includes the Eucalypts, which can be found on a separate page.
Identification
Common Myrtle can be readily recognised by its fragrant white flowers and strongly aromatic, privet-like leaves.
Common Myrtle Myrtus communis
Introduced from the Mediterranean region as a garden ornamental, though not fully hardy in our region and only occasionally seen as an amenity plant in sheltered places. An evergreen shrub to 3m or so in height. Flowers large and showy, leaves opposite, highly aromatic with a soapy quality to the smell. Fruits may be blue-black or whitish when ripe.
The subspecies tarentina appears to be a little more hardy and is more often grown in cultivation. It has smaller, narrower leaves and smaller flowers.
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