Myrtle, a Multi-Purpose Wild Species with Considerable Potential for the Reclaiming Lands and Environment

Myrtus communis L., ‘Common myrtle’ is an evergreen shrub, growing in the wild in Mediterranean areas from Morocco to Iran. Shrubs of this species are naturally widespread as a forest resource in many regions of Iran. Since ancient times, the common myrtle has been used as a source of fragrance and pharmaceutical. Major current uses include production of leaf essential oil for aromatherapy and fragrance industry, production of cut foliage, as an ornamental pot plant and production of beverage. In recent decades, the increasing demand by the myrtle essential oil for medicinal industry caused to an ecological hazard in the wild myrtle population in Iran. In this study, we reviewed the natural spatial distribution, multi-purpose potential use of myrtle as one of the Small Fruits/Berries , and fruits morphology variation of purple and yellow-white berries as general ecological indicators among wild myrtle population across in the Fars province.