Cyprus is the island of Aphrodite, in Ancient Greece she was referred to as the Cyprian, having been born of the foam off Paphos. In deference to those of a delicate disposition I won't relate how this came to be possible. Anyway, those familiar with the painting by Botticelli will be aware that she was born fully grown and completely naked. She initially hid her charms behind a Myrtle bush and so Myrtus communis became one of the plants that were considered sacred to the goddess.
We have several bushes in our garden, some that produce the usual black berries and others that are white.
In the past they were often offered at a meal and a few berries were chewed between courses in order to freshen up the mouth and taste buds ready for the next dish, but this is another tradition that seems to have fallen by the wayside.
My wife sometimes uses them to make a liquor, Mirto, in the same way as she produces Limoncello.