I am Myrtle

Well, not really. But I do love Myrtles. In particular Myrtus luma, or Luma apiculata - sometimes known as Chilean Myrtle in England.

It is a species of tree, genus Luma, family Myrtaceae, native to the central Andes mountains between Chile and Arengentina.

Lumas grow very slowly, eventually forming a small tree. They are rarely more than 20 metres. They have a contorted trunk with a smooth, cinnamon coloured bark, which peels as the tree matures. It is evergreen, with small, oval leaves, and is covered with white blossoms late summer. It has edible, small berries, either black or blue, after flowering.

In their native landscape, these trees are known to live up to 650 years.

Myrtus luma is a common sight here in Cornwall, where it has naturalized.