Talk:Myrtle

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and is also attributed to Freya after she found her husband Ódr under a myrtle-tree after his many months of absence (see Norse mythology). Traditions of brides wearing crowns of myrtle on their wedding day was common to ..... and the ancient Germanic peoples.

Myrtle is a strict Mediterranean plant, and would not have been a familiar plant, nor at all readily available, to Norse or other ancient Germanic people. Probably mis-translation of some other plant that had these uses in northern Europe. MPF 00:01, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

  • A tiny amount of research found this--maybe the explanation?
Bog Myrtle, candleberry (Myrica gale -- Family Myricaceae) is quite a different plant from the Sweet Gale family. The leaves and small winged fruits of this small plant yield an aromatic wax that smells like bay leaves. The leaves are used to make a tea in both China and Wales. In Europe, they are used to make gale beer, using the leaves in place of hops. The fruits have been used in France, Sweden, and northern England to flavour soups, but also in making candles. They were soaked in hot water to release the wax, which was then made into scented candles, and thus, its nickname.[1] Badagnani 01:04, 17 August 2005 (UTC)
Interesting thought thanks; it could well apply to wearing crowns, but I think Ódr would have had great difficulty hiding under a metre-high shrub :-) - MPF 09:40, 17 August 2005 (UTC)
  • I've just left messages in the "discussion" pages for the "Odin" articles in both Norwegian-language Wiki sites asking for both the Norwegian and Latin name of the plant from the original Norwegian version of the Freya/Ódr legend. But didn't these legends originate in the Rhine area of Germany, well prior to the year 1000? Is there a form of myrtle which grows there? We've gotta keep our options open here!  :) Badagnani 18:52, 17 August 2005 (UTC)
    • I've checked some books here, and there is no mention of myrtle in Scandinavian medieval folklore, only in Greek and Arabic traditions. The tradition of using it for wedding crowns is later; it's mentioned in relation to women bringing it to church. It's also said to be difficult to grow here, and it's normally kept as a potted plant in Norway. There are some specimens in the wild, but it's not common. I'm still trying to identify the plant actually meant. One possbility is that it is a later error in the texts; there are many indications of later contamination of the Norse texts. Cnyborg 19:20, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Species

Why does the opening paragraph say it's one or two species, when two species are clearly described? Is there some controversy that they might in fact be a single species? Badagnani 21:09, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] spice

What about myrtle being used as a spice and is it toxic? What about the berries?

Probably not toxic in moderate amounts (or, at least, no more toxic than other very bitter herbs like rue or wormwood), seeing that the berries have been used as a spice and flavoring for alcoholic beverages for a long time. See this website for more: http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Myrt_com.html Badagnani 04:55, 16 January 2006 (UTC)
In the article for "mortadella", it says the Romans used myrtle berries in place of pepper in the recipe. I wonder, are there any sources regarding the toxicity or safety of usage in food? 72.78.179.244 (talk) 22:43, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Disambiguation with Moaning Myrtle?

What do you all think? Could such an addition be appropriate? -- Jokes Free4Me 11:21, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 'The Myrtle (Myrtus) is a genus of one or two species...'

'...with...' or '...of...'?100110100 07:53, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Symbolism and uses

'The beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.'. What is turning?100110100 08:29, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

Woodturning. I'll link it. - MPF 12:56, 24 September 2006 (UTC)