Genus MYRTUS, Linn. 



Myrtaceae. Icosandria Monogynia. 



Hj/it. Nat. Hi/U. Lin. 



Synonymes. 



Myrtus, Euirenia, Caryophillus, Calyp- ) q^ ^u^jjo^g 

 tranthes, Pimcnta, J 



Derivations. The word Myrtus, according lo some lexicoi^aphers, is derived from the Greek muron, a porfiimed oil ; in anu- 

 Bion to the grateful |)erfuiiie of ihe leaves, llowors, and Irull of most of the species of this ge.iiis. The other iiaiiius belong 10 

 l^nera which were supposed by some botanists lo include species more properly coining under the head o{ Myrtus. 



Generic Characters Calyx 5-cleft. Petals 5. Berry 2 or 3-celled, many-seeded. Radicle and cotyledons 

 distinct. Loudon, Enc. of Plants. 



^HE genus Mytrus belongs to that natural group of woody plants, 

 which, in general, may be recognized by their opposite, entire 

 leaves, full of transparent dots, which indicate the presence of a 

 fragrant, aromatic, pungent, volatile oil. Hence, the grateful per- 

 fume of the leaves, flowers, and fruit, of the greater part of the 

 trees and shrubs belonging to this order. Like most highly aro- 

 matic woody plants, the species are chiefly inhabitants of warm climates. The 

 common myrtle, however, is a native of Europe ; but all the other kinds belong 

 to North or South America, Africa, Asia, or Australia. All the species may be 

 propagated by cuttings, and many of them, from their being evergreen, and from 

 the beauty of their foliage and flowers, are very appropriate for hedges, in a mild 

 climate, or for conservatory walls, in a cold one. 



To the same natural family belongs the common guava, (Psidium pyriferum,) 

 of the tropics, so much esteemed by all classes, both when formed into a jelly, 

 and when eaten raw; also the Florida guava, (Psidium buxifolium,) the excel- 

 lent flavour of the fruit of which has been compared to that of strawberries and 

 cream. Nearly allied to the genus myrtus are the common clove of commerce, 

 (Garyophyllus aromaticus,) a native of the Molucca Islands; and the Jamaica 

 pepper, or allspice (Pimenta vulgaris.) This order also includes the Jambolana 

 or Java plum-tree, (Calyptranthes jambolana,) bearing a black esculent berry; 

 the forked calyptranthes, (Calyptranthes chytraculia,) indigenous to the West 

 Indies and Southern Florida; the Malay apple, (Eugenia malaccensis,) cultivated 

 between the tropics, for its fruit ; the Eugenia dichotoma, procera, and buxifolia, 

 yf Southern Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, &c. ; and the pitanga, (Myrtus braziliensis,) 

 the latter of which is much cultivated in Brazil for its highly delicious, sub-acid 

 fruit, from which there is manufactured an excellent jelly. 



Among other ligneous plants nearly allied to this group, and which are hardy, 

 are the Tamarix gallica, indica, and dioica, and the Myricaria germanica. The for- 

 mer is interesting, from its ascending, spreading stems, numerous slender branches, 

 abundant, minute foliage, and its splendid panicles of racemes, of pale rose-col- 

 oured flowers. From its bitter and highly astringent properties, it is occasionally 

 employed as a tonic in medicine; and, in Denmark, it is sometimes substituted 

 for hops in making beer. When grown near the sea, its ashes contain a large 

 proportion of sulphate of soda. By means of the puncture of the Coccus manni- 

 parius. a species of manna is produced, known in conmierce by the name of Ara- 

 bian, to distinguish it from the Persian manna, which is the produce of the Alhagi 

 iiiaurorum. The Myricaria germanica is interesting from its close upright habit 

 of growth, and the glaucous hue of its persistent foliage. To the foregoing may 

 i'H added the common syringa or mock orange, (Philadelphus coronarius,) a native 

 iif the south of Europe; Philadelphus verrucosus, laxus, and hirsuius, of North 

 America: and the Philadelphus tomentosus, of Nepal. 



