Myrtus nivellei
| Myrtus nivellei | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Myrtus |
| Species: | M. nivellei |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab. | |
| Subspecies[1] | |
| |
Myrtus nivellei, the Saharan myrtle (Tuareg language: tefeltest), is a shrub endemic to the mountains of the central Sahara desert.
Two subspecies are accepted.[1]
- Myrtus nivellei subsp. nivellei – Tassili n'Ajjer of southern Algeria and southwestern Libya
- Myrtus nivellei subsp. tibesticus Quézel – Tibesti of Chad
The species occurs in small areas of sparse relict woodland at montane elevations above the central Saharan desert plains.[2] It can be found in the Tassili n'Ajjer mountains in southern Algeria and southwestern Libya, and the Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad.[1]
It is used as a traditional medicinal plant by the Tuareg people.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 "Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- 1 2 Uicnmed.org: Myrtus nivellei - Batt & Trab. - Myrtaceae . accessed 1.10.2014.