What is the love tree?

Myrtle, known as the "love tree", is native to the Mediterranean coast and has been planted in gardens in southern Europe since ancient times. There are many horticultural varieties. Because the leaves and fruits contain myrtenol and have a pleasant aroma, garlands made of myrtle are commonly used at weddings in some Western countries to express blessings, so it is known as the "blessing wood". Its flower language is: the secret language of love. Other names of myrtle include: Maoshu and fragrant leaf tree.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is an evergreen shrub in the Myrtaceae family, 3 to 5 meters high, with dense branchlets. The leaves are leathery, opposite, dark green, glossy, often in whorls of 3 to 4 on the upper part of the branches, entire, with small oil spots. The leaves are fragrant after being rubbed. The leaves are 2 to 5 cm long. Some saplings after winter The leaves turn purple. The flowers are axillary and white in color. They are also known as "silver sea flowers". The flowering period in Shanghai is from late May to mid-June. The berries are black and purple, and the fruit ripening period is from November to early December. It likes a warm and humid climate, likes light, is also tolerant of semi-shade, has strong germination ability, is resistant to pruning, has few pests and diseases, and is adaptable to neutral to alkaline soil. This habit is very valuable in Shanghai.

Myrtle should be widely used in urban and rural greening, especially suitable for garden planting. It can be used as a background tree for flower borders, planted on the edge of the forest, or planted in front of a sunny wall to form a green barrier. Used as high hedges in residential areas or roads, they will also have novel effects. Myrtle contains myrtenol, which has a strong bactericidal effect and high medicinal value. It is effective in treating respiratory diseases such as tracheitis and has sedative and hypnotic effects.