Plant Details

Myrtus communis

Myrtle, Foxtail Myrtle

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Common names

40 names · 24 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Foxtail Myrtle
  • Myrtle[1]
Other languages (23)
Dutch
  • Mirte
  • Mirtestruik
  • Myrte
French
Arabic
  • آس[1]
  • آس الشائع[1]
  • حمبلاس[1]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
Czech
  • myrta obecná[1]
Danish
  • Almindelig Myrte[1]
Estonian
  • harilik mürt[1]
Finnish
  • välimerenmyrtti[1]
German
Greek
  • Κοινή Μυρτιά[1]
Hebrew
  • הדס מצוי[1]
Japanese
  • ギンバイカ[1]
Kurdish
  • مورتک[1]
Polish
  • Mirt zwyczajny[1]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Мирт обыкновенный[1]
Slovak
  • myrta obyčajná[1]
Spanish
  • Arrayán mediterráneo[1]
  • Mirto europeo[1]
  • Mirto mediterráneo[1]
Swedish
Turkish
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Myrtus communis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • myrtle — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Arrayán mediterráneo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Murta — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Mirto europeo — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • הדס מצוי — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Myrte commun — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Myrte commune — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Myrte — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Myrte — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Brautmyrte — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Gemeine Myrte — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Mirto mediterráneo — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Mirta — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Мирт обыкновенный — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • myrta obecná — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Mirt zwyczajny — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • ギンバイカ — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • harilik mürt — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Κοινή Μυρτιά — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • 香桃木 — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • mersin — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • murt — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Almindelig Myrte — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • آس الشائع — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • حمبلاس — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • قمام — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • مرسين — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • آس — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Murtra — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • 香桃木 — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • 银梅花 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • välimerenmyrtti — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Myrten — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • Murta — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • myrta obyčajná — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.
  • مورتک — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 78159; Myrtus communis.

General information

Scientific name: Myrtus communis
Accepted name (Kew): Myrtus communis L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Myrtaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Myrtus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Myrtle, Foxtail Myrtle
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 2.44–3.66 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 2.44–3.66 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [2]
Foliage: Evergreen
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Mounding, Rounded

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [2]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [2]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Leaves, Condiment, Coffee, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Hedge

Description

Fruit - eaten fresh or cooked. It has a delightful flavor, is very aromatic, and resembles wild strawberries. The fruit has a diameter of about 15 mm. The leaves can be used as tea. The roasted seeds can serve as a substitute for coffee.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 111432; name ID 132268; Myrtus Tourn. ex L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1062897; name ID 132410; Myrtus communis L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Myrtus communis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .