Myrtus communis
Myrtle
(c) Thomas Dreux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Dreux · licence
Family: Myrtaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Myrtus communis (Myrtle) is a non-native California shrub in the Myrtaceae family, recognized by Mediterranean species occasionally escaping cultivation - represents a large Southern Hemisphere family (Myrtaceae) with minimal….
Myrtle is a naturalized shrub found in the northern Coast Ranges interior in disturbed wet areas at an elevation of 740 meters. Flowering with white petals that are round to ovate and spreading, its blossoms are less than 2.5 centimeters wide with stamens forming a dense ring. Growing up to 6 meters tall with a somewhat contorted trunk that ranges from gray to orange-brown, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are thinly leathery, dark green, and range from 0.8 to 4.5 centimeters long, with an ovate to lanceolate shape that tapers to an acute or acuminate tip. The fruit is less than 12 millimeters wide, completing the plant's compact and intricate form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Mediterranean species occasionally escaping cultivation - represents a large Southern Hemisphere family (Myrtaceae) with minimal naturalized presence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed wet areas
Elevation: 740 m
Outside California: native to Mediterranean, naturalized Louisiana, Texas, potentially escaping in humid, non-freezing areas in North America
How to tell it apart
vs Vaccinium: Blueberry has urn-shaped fused petals; myrtle has five separate spreading petals; vs Syzygium: Check seed size - Syzygium has one large seed, myrtle has multiple small hard seeds; vs Ligustrum: Privet has opposite leaves and tubular flowers; myrtle has alternate leaves and open flowers; vs Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus flowers have caps and numerous stamens; myrtle has normal five-petaled flowers; vs Leptospermum: Tea tree has dry capsules; true myrtle has juicy berries with hard seeds
Frequently asked questions
Is Myrtus communis native to California?
No. Myrtus communis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Myrtus communis belong to?
Myrtus communis is in the Myrtaceae family, genus Myrtus.
What habitat does Myrtus communis grow in?
Myrtus communis grows in Disturbed wet areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.