Herb Of The Week - Myrtle - Plants For A Future

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http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Myrtus+communis

 

 

Myrtus communis

 

 

 

Common name: Myrtle Family: Myrtaceae

Author: L. Botanical references: 11, 50, 200

Synonyms:

Known Hazards: None known

Range: S. Europe to W. Asia.

Habitat: Scrub, avoiding calcareous soils[50].

Plants For A Future Rating (1-5): 3

 

Other Common Names: From various places around the Web, may not be

correct. See below

<http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Myrtus+communis#WEBREFS> .

 

Arrayan [E], As [E], Ass [E], Greek Myrtle [H], Lampsana [E], Mersin

[E], Murt [E], Murtek [E], Myrtle [H,E,P], Sweet Myrtle [H], Yas [E],

Epithets: From a Dictionary of

<http://www.winternet.com/~chuckg/dictionary.html> Botanical Epithets

communis = common;

Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany

<http://ars-genome.cornell.edu/Botany/aboutethnobotdb.html> Database

Europe; Greece; Iraq; Kurdistan; Spain; Turkey

 

 

Physical Characteristics

 

 

An evergreen shrub growing to 4.5m by 3m at a medium rate. It is hardy

to zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from

July to August, and the seeds ripen in October. The scented flowers are

hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by

Bees. The plant is self-fertile. We rate it 3 out of 5 for usefulness.

 

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils

and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and

basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or

moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

 

 

Habitats and Possible Locations

 

 

Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge.

 

Cultivar 'Tarentina': Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge.

 

 

Edible Uses

 

 

Condiment; Drink; Flowers; Fruit.

 

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 105]. The fruit has an aromatic flavour[245],

it can be eaten fresh when ripe or can be dried and is then used as an

aromatic food flavouring, especially in the Middle East[7, 46, 238]. It

can also be made into an acid drink[89, 148]. The fruit is about 8mm in

diameter[200].

 

The leaves are used as a flavouring in cooked savoury dishes[238].

 

The dried fruits and flower buds are used to flavour sauces, syrups

etc[183].

 

An essential oil from the leaves and twigs is used as a condiment,

especially when mixed with other spices[183].

 

In Italy the flower buds are eaten[183]. The flowers have a sweet

flavour and are used in salads[245].

 

 

Medicinal Uses

 

 

Antibiotic; Antiseptic; Aromatic; Astringent; Balsamic; Carminative;

Haemostatic; Tonic.

 

 

The leaves are aromatic, balsamic, haemostatic and tonic[7, 46]. Recent

research has revealed a substance in the plant that has an antibiotic

action[7]. The active ingredients in myrtle are rapidly absorbed and

give a violet-like scent to the urine within 15 minutes[238]. The plant

is taken internally in the treatment of urinary infections, digestive

problems, vaginal discharge, bronchial congestion, sinusitis and dry

coughs[238, 254]. In India it is considered to be useful in the

treatment of cerebral affections, especially epilepsy[240]. Externally,

it is used in the treatment of acne (the essential oil is normally used

here), wounds, gum infections and haemorrhoids[238]. The leaves are

picked as required and used fresh or dried[238].

 

An essential oil obtained from the plant is antiseptic[240]. It contains

the substance myrtol - this is used as a remedy for gingivitis[7]. The

oil is used as a local application in the treatment of rheumatism[240].

 

The fruit is carminative[240]. It is used in the treatment of dysentery,

diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, internal ulceration and rheumatism[240].

 

 

Other Uses

 

 

Charcoal; Essential; Hedge.

 

The plant is very tolerant of regular clipping[200] and can be grown as

a hedge in the milder parts of Britain[166, 200].

 

An essential oil from the bark, leaves and flowers is used in perfumery,

soaps and skin-care products[89, 143, 238]. An average yield of 10g of

oil is obtained from 100 kilos of leaves[7].

 

A perfumed water, known as " eau d'ange " , is obtained from the

flowers[245].

 

A high quality charcoal is made from the wood[89].

 

Wood - hard, elastic, very fine grained. Used for walking sticks, tool

handles, furniture etc[46, 89].

 

 

Cultivation details

 

 

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil so long as it is well-drained[1].

Prefers a moderately fertile well-drained neutral to alkaline loam in a

sunny position[11, 200, 238]. Succeeds in dry soils.

 

A very ornamental plant[1], when fully dormant it is hardy to between

-10 and -15°c[184], so long as it is sheltered from cold drying

winds[200], though it does withstand quite considerable maritime

exposure[K]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.

This species does not succeed outdoors in the colder parts of

Britain[11, 49].

 

A moderately fast-growing plant when young but soon slowing with

age[202].

 

There are a number of named varieties[183]. 'Tarentina' with narrow

small leaves is hardier than the type and is especially

wind-resistant[182, 200], 'Microphylla' is a dwarf form and 'Leucocarpa'

has white berries[182].

 

Myrtle is often cultivated in the Mediterranean[7], where the plant is

regarded as a symbol of love and peace[89] and is much prized for use in

wedding bouquets[182]. The foliage is strongly aromatic[184].

 

Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[238].

 

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

 

 

Propagation

 

 

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow it in late

winter in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as

soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the

greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their

permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last

expected frosts[K].

 

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a

frame. Pot up in the autumn and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in

late spring. High percentage[78].

 

Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 7 - 12cm with a

heel, November in a shaded and frost free frame. Plant out in late

spring or early autumn. High percentage[78].

 

Layering.

 

 

Scent

 

 

Stem: Crushed Dried

 

The wood is highly scented[245].

 

Leaves: Crushed Dried

 

The foliage is strongly aromatic and retains this fragrance when

dried[245].

 

 

Cultivars

 

 

'Tarentina' 'Jenny Reitenbach'

 

Smaller than the species, it has narrower leaves and is more wind-hardy

and cold-hardy[182, 200]. It blooms in great profusion[245].

 

 

PFAF Web Pages

 

 

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

 

* PFAF: Edible Trees

<http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/treechk.html> and Shrubs Hardy in

Britain

 

 

* PFAF: Edible Trees <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/tree6.html>

and Shrubs Hardy in Britain: L-O

 

 

* Checklist of <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/hedgechk.html>

plants suitable for hedging and windbreaks.

 

 

* Checklist of plants

<http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/hedge6.html> suitable for hedging and

windbreaks: L-O

 

 

* Checklist of <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/hedgetxt.html>

plants suitable for hedging and windbreaks.

 

 

* PFAF: Edible Trees

<http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/treetxt.html> and Shrubs Hardy in

Britain

 

 

 

Web References

 

 

* [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in

Henriette's <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/database.html> names

database

 

* [E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the

Ethnobotany Database <ftp://genome.cornell.edu/pub/EthnobotDB/> (sadly

ftp only. The searchable web pages have been pulled).

 

* [G] Data

<http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?24898> (Common

Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN

<http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/tax/> taxonomic database.

 

* [P] Data

<http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=MYCO9> . (uses,

distribution, wetland) from the UDSA's plants database

<http://plants.usda.gov/> .

 

* [HP] Links, Photos,

<http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/p1/gw1026762.html> Suppliers from

Hortiplex <http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/> Plant Database

 

References for myrtus communis (a possible synonym).

 

* [HP] Photo

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/j-o/myrtus-communis.jpg> From

Henriette's plant

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/herbpics.html> pictures

 

* [HP] Photo

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/j-o/myrtus-communis-1.jpg>

From Henriette's plant

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/herbpics.html> pictures

 

* [HP] Photo

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/j-o/myrtus-communis-2.jpg>

From Henriette's plant

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/herbpics.html> pictures

 

* [HP] Photo

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/j-o/myrtus-communis-3.jpg>

From Henriette's plant

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/herbpics.html> pictures

 

* [HP] Photo

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/j-o/myrtus-communis-4.jpg>

From Henriette's plant

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/pictures/herbpics.html> pictures

 

See the PFAF Links <http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/Links_4.html> Pages

for other sources or the The Gatherer

<http://www.kippewa-gardens.com/cgi-bin/Gatherer.pl> where you can

search many other sources all in one go.

 

 

References

 

 

[K] Ken Fern

Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field

trips.

 

 

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford

University Press 1951

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat

outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

 

 

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover

Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and

references.

 

 

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN

0-356-10541-5

Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting

information on the plants. Good photographs.

 

 

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and

Supplement. Murray 1981

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on

pictures.

 

 

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short

descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the

plants. Not for the casual reader.

 

 

[49] Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

Trees and shrubs that grow well in Cornwall and other mild areas of

Britain. Fairly good, a standard reference book.

 

 

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964

An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard

reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little

extra information. Not for the casual reader.

 

 

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan

and Co 1948

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific

details for a wide range of plants.

 

 

[89] Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth

Press 1987 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some

information on plant uses.

 

 

[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.

Keigaku Publishing 1976

The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the

briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are

more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

 

 

[143] Woodcock. and Coutts. Lilies - Their Culture and Management.

Country Life 1935

A classic, but dated. Deals with the genus Lilium.

 

 

[148] Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970

A pleasant little book about Greek herbs.

 

 

[166] Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990

A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in

Britain.

 

 

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992

ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of

their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and

varieties.

 

 

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong

Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional

food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly

N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other

nurseries from around the world.

 

 

[184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and

cultivars.

 

 

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan

Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly

mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

 

 

[202] Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990 ISBN

0-670-82929-3

Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of

cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

 

 

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling

Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the

globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student.

Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries

for each plant.

 

 

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian

Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and

Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986

Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of

references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for

the casual reader.

 

 

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994

ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other

plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

 

 

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling

Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148

An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs

from around the world.

 

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