Myrtus communis
Myrtle
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Myrtus genus in the family Myrtaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[10][2]. The fruit has an aromatic flavour[15], it can be eaten fresh when ripe or can be dried and is then used as an aromatic food flavouring, especially in the Middle East[20][17][13]. It can also be made into an acid drink[22][5]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[11]. The leaves are used as a flavouring in cooked savoury dishes[13]. The dried fruits and flower buds are used to flavour sauces, syrups etc[8]. An essential oil from the leaves and twigs is used as a condiment, especially when mixed with other spices[8]. In Italy the flower buds are eaten[8]. The flowers have a sweet flavour and are used in salads[15].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Drink
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Fruit
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are aromatic, balsamic, haemostatic and tonic[20][17]. Recent research has revealed a substance in the plant that has an antibiotic action[20]. The active ingredients in myrtle are rapidly absorbed and give a violet-like scent to the urine within 15 minutes[13]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of urinary infections, digestive problems, vaginal discharge, bronchial congestion, sinusitis and dry coughs[13][16]. In India it is considered to be useful in the treatment of cerebral affections, especially epilepsy[14]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of acne (the essential oil is normally used here), wounds, gum infections and haemorrhoids[13]. The leaves are picked as required and used fresh or dried[13]. An essential oil obtained from the plant is antiseptic[14]. It contains the substance myrtol - this is used as a remedy for gingivitis[20]. The oil is used as a local application in the treatment of rheumatism[14]. The fruit is carminative[14]. It is used in the treatment of dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, internal ulceration and rheumatism[14].
- Product or use
- Antibiotic
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Aromatic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Balsamic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is very tolerant of regular clipping[11] and can be grown as a hedge in the milder parts of Britain[6][11]. An essential oil from the bark, leaves and flowers is used in perfumery, soaps and skin-care products[22][4][13]. An average yield of 10g of oil is obtained from 100 kilos of leaves[20]. A perfumed water, known as \"eau d'ange\", is obtained from the flowers[15]. A high quality charcoal is made from the wood[22]. Wood - hard, elastic, very fine grained. Used for walking sticks, tool handles, furniture etc[17][22].
- Product or use
- Charcoal
- Product or use
- Essential
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe to W. Asia.
- Habitat
- Scrub, avoiding calcareous soils[19].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in late winter in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in late spring. High percentage[21]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 7 - 12cm with a heel, November in a shaded and frost free frame. Plant out in late spring or early autumn. High percentage[21]. Layering.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil so long as it is well-drained[1]. Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained neutral to alkaline loam in a sunny position[3][11][13]. Succeeds in dry soils. A very ornamental plant[1], when fully dormant it is hardy to between -10 and -15°c[9], so long as it is sheltered from cold drying winds[11], though it does withstand quite considerable maritime exposure[K]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. This species does not succeed outdoors in the colder parts of Britain[3][18]. A moderately fast-growing plant when young but soon slowing with age[12]. There are a number of named varieties[8]. 'Tarentina' with narrow small leaves is hardier than the type and is especially wind-resistant[7][11], 'Microphylla' is a dwarf form and 'Leucocarpa' has white berries[7]. Myrtle is often cultivated in the Mediterranean[20], where the plant is regarded as a symbol of love and peace[22] and is much prized for use in wedding bouquets[7]. The foliage is strongly aromatic[9]. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[13]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[11].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Woodcock. and Coutts. Lilies - Their Culture and Management. Country Life 1935-00-00
Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1