Evergreen shrub or small tree, up to 5 metres in height. The flowers are pollinated by bees amongst some other insects, and the seeds are dispersed by birds which feed on the berries. A rare species that grows in maquis and rocky slopes and rapidly decreasing in the wild. Imported stock of myrtles (known as the ‘tarentina’ variety) is often visibly different from native stock by having smaller and more compact leaves.
Leaves 3-5cm long, lemon scented, opposite oval-lanceolate, pointed, and glossy green.
Flowers borne in summer are white, 2 cm across with rounded petals and a central spray of white stamens.
Fruits are small black or white berries.
