Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Myrtus communis L. var. microphylla

See Myrtus communis L. for more details on the species and its varieties.  Microphylla is a more compact and rounded shrub, smaller than the type in all its parts, with narrower leaves, pink-tinted cream flowers and white berries.  [RHSE, Hilliers’]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

See Myrtus communis L. for additional data.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.694/1850] but possibly grown since at least 1844.  A list of plants sent to James Graham of Melbourne on 17 July, 1844, consigned to Mr. C. J. Barrett, included ‘1 Myrtus communis, 1 ditto narrow leaved’ [MP A2933-1, p.66].  But this may be a reference to Myrtus communis L. var. mucronata which see.  This may be the same plant.

Notes

Published Jan 18, 2010 - 03:13 PM | Last updated Jan 18, 2010 - 03:28 PM

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Family Myrtaceae
Category
Region of origin

Mediterranean
Synonyms
  • Myrtus tarentina Mill.
  • Myrtus communis L. subsp. tarentina
  • Myrtus communis L. ‘Jenny Reitenbach’ 
Common Name

Nana, The Tarentum myrtle
Name in the Camden Park Record

Myrtus communis v. small leaved Myrtle 
Confidence level low