MYRTUS COMMUNIS subsp. COMMUNIS

Family and Genus:- See- MYRTACEAE

Common Names:- Myrtle

Homotypic Synonyms:- None.

Meaning:- Myrtus (Gr) The Greek name for myrtle.

Communis (L) Growing in clumps, common.

General description:- An erect, much-branched, evergreen shrub.

Stems:-

1) 1-3 m. though often less; twigs glandular-hairy when young.

Leaves:-

1) Opposite, short-petiolate, 15-40 mm, ovate to elliptical or broadly lanceolate,

acute, entire, dark shining green above, gland-dotted and aromatic,

subglabrous.

Flower:-

1) Solitary, axillary, 5-merous, on slender pedicels 10-25 mm.

2) Sepals, c. 1.5 mm, triangular-ovate.

3) Petals, 7-10 mm, obovate, white (tinged purple in bud).

4) Stamens, numerous, conspicuous, exceeding the petals.

5) Style, surmounted by only one stigma.

Fruit:-

1) Berry, broadly ellipsoid, rather dry, 8-10 mm, glabrous, finally blackish-blue

(rarely whitish).

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Damp places in scrubland vegetation and roadside thickets, coastal

swamps, gorges. 0-400(-700) m. mostly on non-calcareous substrates.

Distribution:- Coastal areas throughout Greece. - Mediterranean region and SW to

C Asia. Fairly scattered and common across Crete.

Flowering time:- (Apr-)June-Sept.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton