Myrtus communis
| Myrtus communis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Myrtus |
| Species: | M. communis
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| Binomial name | |
| Myrtus communis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
List
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Myrtus communis, the common myrtle, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It is an evergreen shrub native to southern Europe, north Africa, western Asia, Macaronesia, and the Indian Subcontinent, and also cultivated.[2]
It is one of the four species used by Jews in their religious rituals on the festival of Sukkot.
Description
The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall.[3] The leaves are 2–5 centimetres (0.79–1.97 in) long, with a fragrant essential oil.[3]
The flowers are white or tinged with pink, with five petals and many stamens that protrude from the flower.[3] The fruit is a berry, blue-black when ripe.[3]
This species,[4] and the more compact M. communis subsp. tarentina[5] have won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[6]
The plant
The plant, closeup
Berries on the plant
Berries macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur
References
- ↑ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 13 August 2016
- ↑ USDA GRIN Taxonomy, retrieved 13 August 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Cretan Flora: An illustrated guide to the flora of Crete, retrieved 13 August 2016
- ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Myrtus communis". Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ↑ "RHS Plantfinder - Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina". Retrieved 10 April 2018.
- ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
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