Myrtus

Common myrtle ( Myrtus communis)

The myrtle ( Myrtus communis ), also called Brautmyrte and Common Myrtle, is an evergreen shrub and the only native to the Mediterranean region representative of the myrtle family ( Myrtaceae ).

Description

The myrtle is an evergreen, well-branched shrub, the plant height can reach up to 5 meters. Older branches are bare, only the young twigs are glandular hairy. The tough, ganzrandigen leaves are short-stalked and ovate-lanceolate acuminate. The leaf arrangement is opposite, sometimes are also three leaves at a node. The leaves are translucent glandular dots and are 1-5 cm long. The top of the leaves is dark green and glossy, the underside is lighter.

Between May and August, small, white fragrant flowers develop. They are individually in the axils of up to 3 cm long flower stems and up to 3 cm wide. The sepals are triangular, the petals obovate to almost circular. The numerous stamens have yellow anthers. From the inferior ovary is a spherical, about 1 cm wide, blue-black berry fruit develops.

Dissemination

The distribution area includes the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and extends east to central Asia. As the site maquis and forests are preferred to something wetter, stone, lime-free soils. The myrtle is cultivated since ancient times and is often neglected accordingly. As the oldest and largest specimen in Germany myrtle applies in the shop and Sichtungsgarten Hermannshof in Weinheim on the mountain road.

Cultural History

The myrtle played a major role in Greek mythology. It has survived a ritual, are scattered in the myrtle on a path to take, while incense is burned.

In ancient Greece, the myrtle was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Myrtle branches are symbols of virginity, vitality and many healthy children, but also beyond the death of love.

Already Greeks and Romans adorned the virginal bride with a myrtle wreath. In the 16th century this wedding custom was also in Germany custom. The groom and groomsmen were twigs to pin. Partly also the bridesmaids were adorned with a wreath of myrtle. It developed the custom that the young wife put one originating from the bridal wreath branch into the ground and let take root. The verdant plant was regarded as an indicator for stable marital happiness and especially cherished. Thus, the myrtle collection took place in the living rooms and is considered one of the oldest indoor plants.

Even today Myrtenkränze or - bouquets be worn for the wedding occasion.

Use

Due to the essential oil of the leaves, which is highly sekretionsfördend, the plant has importance in the treatment of respiratory tract and is used to stimulate the appetite. In the kitchen, it serves mainly as a seasoning for meat dishes. Popular both leaves, berries, and flowers are used. In addition, place the myrtle used in the production of liqueurs. In Sardinia it is the basis of the Mirto Rosso (red Mirto ), a sweet liqueur, which is made from the berries. The Mirto Bianco (white Mirto ) is a dry liqueur, see the myrtle use in the leaves and flowers. The Corsican variant of the Mirto means Myrtei.

Swell

• Peter Schoenfelder, Ingrid Schoenfelder: What flowers on the Mediterranean? ( = Cosmos Nature Guide ). 4th edition. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-440-10211-4.
• Dankwart Seidel: Flowers of the Mediterranean. Fail to determine the 3 -Check. BLV, Munich 2002, ISBN 3-405-16294-7.