Myrtle is a natural evergreen shrub common in some Mediterranean areas and especially in Sardinia. It grows in areas with a temperate climate and in any type of soil, preferably acidic and sheltered from the wind. It is generally found in low undergrowth, near the mastic tree, at the edge of the forest. Its average height is about 2 metres, but in cool areas may reach 6 metres. It lends itself to trimming and shaping and is thus particularly suited to gardens and cultivation in pots. Even a layman can easily recognize the plant due to its characteristic shiny leaves, fragrant white flowers and its round, bluish berries about 1 centimetre in diameter. It blooms between May and July, while the berries ripen around November.