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.