Myrtus (genus)

Genus, often classified as containing 2 species of flowering evergreen shrubs or small trees native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and found in Australia and New Zealand, having leaves containing a fragrant essential oil, a star-like flower, and a fruit that is a round blue-black berry containing several seeds. Authorities differ widely over the number of species the genus includes. True myrtles have a central midrib and a major vein just inside and parallel to the leaf margin.