01 n. A species of the genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branc…
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A species of the genus Myrtus, especially Myrtus communis. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem, eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head, thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate evergreen leaves. It has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by black several-seeded berries. The ancients considered it sacred to Venus. The flowers, leaves, and berries are used variously in perfumery and as a condiment, and the beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.(Bot.)
Phrases & compounds
Bog myrtle —
the sweet gale.
Crape myrtle —
See under Crape.
Myrtle warbler —
a North American wood warbler (Dendroica coronata); -- called also myrtle bird, yellow-rumped warbler, and yellow-crowned warbler.
Sand myrtle —
a low, branching evergreen shrub (Leiophyllum buxifolium), growing in New Jersey and southward.
Wax myrtle —
(Myrica cerifera). See Bayberry.