Myrtus communis (True Myrtle)

Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower close up with green leaves in the sun.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) flower with delicate white petals and many yellow-tipped stamens among leaves.

Botanical name: Myrtus communis

Common name: True Myrtle

Family: Myrtaceae

Origin: Mediterranean Basin

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 8-10

Plant type: Spice or herb
Large shrub 5-10 ft tallPlant form: Large bush
Plant mature sizeMature height: 5-10 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Fragrant plantFragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

True Myrtle is an evergreen shrub or small tree with dense foliage. The leaves when crushed have a strong scent, aromatic and refreshing, somewhat reminiscent to myrrh or eucalyptus. The small white flowers are sweetly scented.

The fresh or dried leaves are used as a spice, and can be used as a substitute for bay leaves. The dried blue purple berry fruits are edible and also aromatic and have been tried as a substitute for black pepper.

A popular landscape plant, Myrtle can be grown in part shade as well as full sun, and needs only little to moderate water. It can be grown in wide range of soils as long as drainage is good. Tolerates some freeze. Blooms in early summer.

Similar plants: Myrtus communis (True Myrtle)


Image gallery: 22 images
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower close up on green foliage
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower clustered amidst slender green leaves and round buds
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) blue fruit and green leaves on a dense plant
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with numerous small blue fruit among many pointed green leaves
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower on plant with dense green foliage branches
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) covered in many small white flower clusters amidst dense green foliage.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower and green variegated leaves on the plant
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower and variegated leaves spreading across the woody stems.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower and variegated green leaves in a close up.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower with yellow stamens beside variegated green oval leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower close up on green foliage plant branch
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flowers blooming among numerous small buds and narrow green leaves
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower and round buds on green leafy plant
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white fluffy flower cluster surrounded by round white and pink buds
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flowers and green leaves with yellow edges plant close up
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flowers nestled among variegated green leaves with yellow margins on branches.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower and buds, green leaves, close up shot.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with white frilly flower and rounded buds against dark green leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower and small green leaves, close up.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower clustered among narrow green foliage with small round buds.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) green white leaves plant close up captured from above
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) leaves with green centers and white edges growing on a dense branch
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) green leaves with white and dark purple fruit on branches
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) branches laden with round white and dark purple fruit between leaves
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower on green branch close up
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with white fluffy flower clusters nestled among dense green leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower on green leaves branch close up for plant enthusiasts
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with numerous small white flower clusters nestled among dense green pointed leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower close up with yellow stamens and green leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower with yellow stamens and surrounding green foliage.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower close up on green leaves and woody stem
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower with long stamens nestled among dense green oval foliage
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower with yellow pollen tips in close up view
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white flower showing long stamens topped with tiny yellow pollen grains
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) blue fruit and green leaves close up plant
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with round blue fruit nestled among narrow green leaves
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) blue fruit hanging on woody branches with narrow green leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) showing clusters of rounded blue fruit hanging from slender wooden branches.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with abundant white fruit, close up of plant on branch.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) with clusters of round white fruit hanging from slender green stems.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) white fruit close up on dense green leafy plant branches.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) showing numerous rounded white fruit nestled among pointed dark green leaves.
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) dark blue fruit cluster hanging from woody branches close up
Myrtus communis (True Myrtle) laden with multiple small round dark blue fruit along thin branches


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/myrtus_communis.htm
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