Myrtle
Myrtus communis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, Yemen
Didier Descouens,Roger Culos,Júlio Reis ( Tintazul ),,Burkhard Mücke,,Umberto Ferrando (www.flickr.com),Luca,Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz,Robert Flogaus-Faust,LIGURIAN VASCULAR FLORA,Umberto Ferrando (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Myrtaceae
- Genus:
- Myrtus
- Species:
- Myrtus communis
- USDA Symbol:
- MYCO9
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aroga trialbamaculella, Epiblema discretivana, Omnivorous Leafroller (Platynota rostrana)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire; common in Mediterranean fire-prone ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Mediterranean regions; prefers dry, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at 20-25°C with light. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI