Fruit color, chemical and genetic diversity and structure of Myrtus communis L. var. italica Mill. morph populations

► Based on fruit color, Myrtus communis var. italica includes dark blue and white fruited morphs. ► We examined chemical and genetic diversity within and among morphs using essential oil and AFLP. ► Significant variations in the essential oil composition among morphs and populations were shown. ► Both morph populations maintain a low level of genetic diversity as revealed by AFLP markers. ► The chemical and genetic population structures of both morphs were high.