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

"A survival strategy starts with finding clean cuttings in the wild before myrtle rust attacks them and propagating them to grow at safe sites," he said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

The fungal disease responsible for the damage, myrtle rust, was first detected in Australia in 2010.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

Tree varieties include Eureka lemon, pink guava, Golden Delicious apple, coast live oak, olive, crape myrtle, California sycamore, desert willow and torrey pines.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

Not only does wax myrtle take well to hedging, but the plant also provides winter berries and shelter for birds year-round.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2024

The bees were everywhere, hovering over the hydrangea and the myrtle spread across the lawn, the jasmine at the wood’s edge, the lemon balm clustered at the fence.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd