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.