Myrtle, Chilean guava myrtle
Myrtus communis
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
A dense bushy shrub. It grows 3 m high. It spreads 3 m wide. The leaves are small and glossy. They are 35 mm long and dark green above but paler underneath. The leaves have a spicy smell when crushed. The flowers are white and fragrant. They occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves. They have 5 petals and a central puff of stamens. The fruit is a dark purple berry. It is 12 mm across.
There are 2 evergreen Myrtus shrubs.
Where it is found
A subtropical plant. They thrive in hot dry conditions. Fruit are only produced in warm conditions. It can tolerate light frost. It is grown in some highland regions in the tropics. It can grow in arid places. It is salt tolerant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Kyneton Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Australia, Azores, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, East Africa, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Fiji, France, Greece, Hawaii, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kurdistan, Libya, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Sicily, Slovenia, Spain, Tanzania, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are also dried and used as a flavouring. They are used to flavour meats, poultry, sauces, liqueurs, and syrups. The leaves are used as a flavouring and for tea. The fruit are sometimes fermented into an acid-tasting drink. An essential oil from the leaves and twigs is used as a condiment. The flower buds are eaten.
It is widely used in the Mediterranean islands. It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Flowers, fruit, leaves, leaves - tea, herb, seeds, spice
How it is grown
It is mostly grown from cuttings. Seeds and air layering are also possible.
Its other names
Local names
Ambo, Aob, Arrayan, Arrijan, Asta ghonay, Echte Myrte, Hadas, Maile haole, Mano, Mersin, Mirto, Mrca, Murt, Murta, Murteras, Myrte, Navadna mirta, Periwinkle, Rihan, Siyah mersin, Tassie berry, Yass