This is a clipping from an heirloom plant in my wife's family. The stems are 'woody' and the leaves are small (0.5 to .75" in length). It was brought over to the US in the early 1800's from Sweden or Scandinavia. We have no idea if it's an outdoor or indoor plant (has been kept indoors here), and no one in the family has seen the plant flower. We were able to get a clipping root several years ago but died when putting it in soil. Hopefully this one will survive. Any help on ID'ing this would be greatly appreciated. I might be able to get a magnifying view if that helps.

I think someone in our family said it was a "martin" plant. Maybe they meant "myrtle"?

It does look like Myrtle to me.

Because its a woody plant it's highly unlikely that your cutting will root in water. If it's still fresh, take semi-hardwood cuttings of the tips (about 4-6 inches or so) and dip in hormone rooting powder if you have some, then put the cutting(s) into sandy compost or moist sand. You can cover the pot with a plastic bag and put somewhere out of direct sun indoors. Check the pot for moisture (don't let it get too wet) and in several weeks you may have success.

In Swedish the plural of myrtle is called martin (myrten).

Historically, Swedish brides sometimes wore the branches of myrtles in their hair but I don't know why. I've only seen it in Scandinavian art.

Jai_Ganesha said:In Swedish the plural of myrtle is called martin (myrten).

Historically, Swedish brides sometimes wore the branches of myrtles in their hair but I don't know why. I've only seen it in Scandinavian art.

My wife's Swedish grandmother made a myrtle headdress for her/our wedding. I bet it was her grandmother's idea, must have been tradition.

kniphofia said:Because its a woody plant it's highly unlikely that your cutting will root in water. If it's still fresh, take semi-hardwood cuttings of the tips (about 4-6 inches or so) and dip in hormone rooting powder if you have some, then put the cutting(s) into sandy compost or moist sand. You can cover the pot with a plastic bag and put somewhere out of direct sun indoors. Check the pot for moisture (don't let it get too wet) and in several weeks you may have success.

The cuttings are still fresh. I'll have to get some hormone rooting powder, and maybe give 3 or 4 twigs a try.