Myrtus communis L.

Family: MYRTACEAE

Genus: Myrtus

Catalan common name: Murta. Murtera. Murtra.

Spanish common name: Arrayán. Mirto.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aphrodisiac. Aromatic. Edible or foodstuffs. Dye industry. Medicinal. Perfumery.

Plants protected by law: Balearic Catalogue.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Oakforest. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Tree heather maquis and silicolous garigues. Humid soils.

Characteristics: The myrtle is a tree emblematic to the Mediterranean culture, associated with many traditions and customs. Its fruits, the myrtle berries, are edible; the leaves have very agreeable scent and can be used in making colognes. The leaves are glossy and arranged in pairs, and they resemble other Mediterranean schlerophylls, but their scent is a give away. Flowers at the beginning of the summer, with white flowers that call the attention at this time of the year.