Myrtus communis, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 303

1. M. communis L. , Sp. Pl. 471 (1753) .

Erect, much-branched shrub, up to 5 m. Twigs glandular-hairy when young. Leaves up to 5 cm, ovate-lanceolate, acute, entire, coriaceous, punctate, very aromatic when crushed. Flowers up to 3 cm in diameter, sweet-scented. Pedicels long, slender, with 2 small, caducous bracteoles. Petals suborbicular, white. Berry 7-10 x 6-8 mm, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, usually blue-black when ripe. Scrub; usually calcifuge. Mediterranean region and S.fF. Europe. Al Az BI Co Cr Ga Gr Hs It Ju Lu Sa Si.

Widely cultivated since ancient times; the native range is therefore very uncertain.

In addition to the two subspecies given below, other variation has been described, but seems to show no geographical correlation.