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

Professor Fensham, who works in UQ's School of the Environment, said related species within the broader Rhodamnia group have shown resistance to myrtle rust.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

And don’t replace them with something like crape myrtle, which is pretty but doesn’t offer much shade for the space it takes up.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

The aromas the team tested on participants were vanilla, almond, lemon, lemon myrtle, eucalyptus, peppermint, vinegar and lemongrass.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 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

August and I sat in collapsible lawn chairs beside a crepe myrtle that kept dropping blossoms all over the ground.

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