myrtle

¹ American  

[mur-tl] / ˈmɜr tl /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Myrtus, especially M. communis, a shrub of southern Europe having evergreen leaves, fragrant white flowers, and aromatic berries: anciently held sacred to Venus and used as an emblem of love.

2. any of certain unrelated plants, as the periwinkle, Vinca minor, and California laurel, Umbellularia californica.

3. Also called myrtlewood.  the hard, golden-brown wood of the California laurel.

4. Also called myrtle green.  dark green with bluish tinge.

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Myrtle ² American  

[mur-tl] / ˈmɜr tl /

noun

1. a female given name.

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myrtle British  

/ ˈmɜːtəl /

noun

1. any evergreen shrub or tree of the myrtaceous genus Myrtus, esp M. communis, a S European shrub with pink or white flowers and aromatic blue-black berries

2. short for crape myrtle

3. bog myrtle another name for sweet gale

4. another name for periwinkle 2

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Etymology

Origin of myrtle

1350–1400; Middle English mirtile < Medieval Latin myrtillus, equivalent to Latin myrt ( us ) (< Greek mýrtos ) + New Latin -illus diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

"It's a long shot and ambitious but the species needs time and space without being constantly walloped by myrtle rust to hopefully express some resistance," Professor Fensham said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

Professor Rod Fensham, a botanist at the University of Queensland, said urgent action is needed to prevent the species Rhodamnia zombi from disappearing due to the fungal disease known as myrtle rust.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

On six acres among the dairy farms of southeast L.A., he grew ferns, myrtle and eucalyptus.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024

Rosemary is among the easiest, and Eugenia myrtifolia, a myrtle relative, is pretty fast and cooperative.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2024

Flowering myrtle crept up its sides and the wild anise perfumed the air about it.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck