Selection for Ornamental Purposes of ‘Angela’ Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Cultivar with Unpigmented Fruit

Abstract

Myrtle species includes the melanocarpa (with pigmented fruit when ripe) and the leucocarpa varieties (with unpigmented fruit). Myrtle-bearing pigmented fruit is more common as a wild or cultivated plant for red liqueur production, while genotypes with unpigmented fruit are rare. Myrtle is also appreciated in the international market of ornamental plants as a garden shrub, a flowering and fruiting potted plant, and for the production of cut leafy branches. Varieties with pigmented fruit, compact habitus and small leaves like microcarpa and tarentina are mostly propagated for this purpose. Contrarily, the leucocarpa variety is a strongly vigorous plant, with big leaves, large internodes, and long fruit peduncles. These unique characteristics together with the long persistence of immature fruit in the winter months may represent a new potential specimen for ornamental plant production. This innovative concept of ornamental myrtle was developed with the selection of the cultivar ‘Angela’ here described for its morphological traits, good nursery management, and performance in agamic propagation.