Common myrtle Facts
Common myrtle Facts
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| Interesting Common myrtle Facts: |
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| Common myrtle can grow as large bush or small tree that can reach 16.5 feet in height. |
| Common myrtle develops leathery, oval-shaped, evergreen leaves. They are oppositely arranged on the branches. |
| Common myrtle produces white, bowl-shaped, individual flowers on the short floral stalks. Each flower consists of 5 petals, numerous stamens and of one long pistil. |
| Common myrtle blooms from May to June. Flowers are very fragrant and they attract insects that are responsible for the pollination of this plant. |
| Fruit of common myrtle is purple-black berry filled with few seed. Fruit ripens during the autumn. Birds like to eat fruit of common myrtle and they play important role in dispersal of seed. |
| Common myrtle propagates via seed and cuttings. |
| Common myrtle is aromatic plant thanks to essential oils produced in the glands on the leaves, stem, flowers and fruit. Glands look like transparent dots that are especially numerous and prominent on the leaves. |
| Aromatic fruit and leaves of common myrtle are used in the manufacture of soaps and other products in the cosmetic industry. |
| Fragrant flowers and leaves of common myrtle repel insects. They can be used against mosquitoes and cockroaches instead of conventional insecticides in the homes. |
| Certain varieties of common myrtle produce yellow berries. They are ingredient of white liqueur called "mirto", that is often consumed in Sardinia and Corsica. Whole or ground dry black berries can be used as a substitute for pepper. |
| Varieties of common myrtle that produce variegated leaves and yellow-colored berries are cultivated in ornamental purposes. |
| Ancient Romans and Greeks were wearing wreaths made of common myrtle as a symbol of love. This plant was inevitable part of Roman gardens in the past. |
| Common myrtle is used for the preparation of wedding bouquets and crowns that are traditionally used during wedding ceremony in Ukraine. |
| Common myrtle was used as antiseptic and tonic in the past. It was also used in treatment of sinus and eye infections, headache and dysentery. Today, common myrtle is available in the form of capsules, under the trade name Myrtol, as a herbal remedy for respiratory disorders. |
| Common myrtle is perennial plant that reaches its full size at the age of 10 to 20 years. |
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