Encyclopedia
of Stanford Trees, Shrubs, and Vines
Myrtus communis. Common myrtle. Mediterranean, Iraq
MYRTACEAE (Myrtle family)
The evergreen common myrtle is generally grown as a clipped
hedge with neat, glossy dark-green opposite leaves, a little paler below, pointed
at both ends, virtually stalkless, and about an inch long. Held to the light,
the leaves show many small translucent dots containing oil whose fragrance is
released by crushing. Leaves of the myrtle family are often characterized by fragrance.
The modest white flowers have lots of long, yellow-tipped stamens, while the elongated
berries are blue-black, terminated in some remnants of the flower and containing
many white kidney-shaped seeds. Hedges often do not have the chance to flower
but at 622 Salvatierra Street, on the corner with Valparaiso Street, there is
a spreading, mature tree dating back to the early years of campus housing and
exhibiting many trunks with papery bark in warm colors, reminiscent of its relative
the melaleuca.
Illustrations (links open new windows): flower
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Additions/Revisions:
Name derivation, genus | species Greek name for the plant | common, general
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material:
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name index | Common name index | Family
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