OF ORNAMENTAL EXOTIC PLANTS. 
153 
GENUS XVII. 
MYRTUS Lin. THE MYRTLE. 
Un. Syst. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. — Limb of the calyx five-parted, rarely four-parted. Stamens numerous. Berry two or three-celled, crowned by the 
limb of the calyx. Seeds incurved, many in each cell, rarely solitary. Pedicels one-flowered. Leaves dotted. ((?. Don.) 
Description, &c. — Several of the species of this genus are stove plants, but the common Myrtle and two or 
three others are greenhouse plants. The name of the genus is from a Greek word signifying perfume, in allusion 
to the delightful fragrance emitted from the leaves of some of the species. 
1.— MYRTUS COMMUNIS Lin. THE COMMON MYRTLE. 
Engraving. — Om fig. 6, in PI. 29. 
Specific Character. — Pedicels solitary, one-flowered, about the 
length of the leaves, bearing two linear bracteoles under the flowers. 
Calyx five-cleft. Leaves ovate or lanceolate. Berry roundish, two 
or three-celled. Seeds reniform. Embryo arched, with a long radicle 
and small equal cotyledons. ((?. Don.) 
Description, &c. — There are few persons who are not well acquainted with the Common Myrtle, but very few 
of these are aware of the great number of varieties that are known of this popular plant. Most of the kinds that 
are common in this countiy have black fruit, but there is a variety, a native of Greece and the Balearic Isles, the 
fruit of which is white, the berry being large and eatable, and having an agreeable taste and smell. The varieties 
of the dark-fruited kind are, the common broad-leaved or Roman Myrtle, which is sometimes called the 
Flowering Myrtle because it flowers more freely than any of the other lands ; the Box- leaved Myrtle, which is very 
common in this countiy, but which very seldom flowers in Great Britain; and the broad-leaved Dutch Myrtle, which 
is commonly called the double-flowered. The Rosemary-leaved Myrtle is another kind frequently found in British 
greenhouses, where it is cultivated more for the sake of its leaves than its flowers. There are several other lands, 
besides some fanciful varieties, such as the broad-leaved Jews’ Myrtle, the leaves of which are said to be produced 
always in threes ; the gold and silver-leaved ; and the spotted-leaved. The Common Myrtle is a native of the 
South of Europe, whence it was introduced in 1597. 
OTHER SPECIES OF MYRTLE. 
M. UGNI Molim,. 
This species is a native of Chili, where it is called TJgni by the natives, and Murtilla by the Spaniards. The 
fruit is red, and has a musky flavour. The natives of Chili press the juice from it, and mix it with water, to which 
it gives a beautiful red colour. It forms a refreshing drink, which has somewhat of the smell of Rosemary. 
M. TOMENTOSA Ait. 
This is a very beautiful plant. The flowers are of a delicate rose colour, and the underside of the leaves and 
the whole of the buds are completely covered with a white cottony down. The plant is extremely different in its 
habit of growth from the common Myrtle, growing to the height of several feet. It is a native of China, whence it 
was introduced in 1766. 
