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Myrtus communis

In the garden of Kolymbetra, inside the Valley of the Temples (AG), there is a small group of myrtle trees of remarkable and most unique size: those specimens reach a height of 24.6 ft and have expanded their stems up to 4.9 ft.

Botanical sheet

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a shrub typical of the Mediterranean scrub and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In Italy, it is widespread in all the Central and Southern Regions, in the Islands, and also in Liguria and Friuli-Venezia Giulia; myrtles can be found at altitudes up to 1.640 ft above sea levels.

The bark, reddish in the younger branches, eventually turns grey; the leaves are dark green, leathery and shiny.
Balsamic, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties are attributed to myrtle: it is, therefore, used in herbal and pharmaceutical products for treating digestive and respiratory diseases.

The berries are used for the preparation of a Myrtle liqueur, mainly produced in Sardinia, where the cultivation of this species has been sensibly boosted and it has always been highly appreciated.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)