Myrtle

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