Myrica gale

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Myrica gale
Myrica gale foliage and immature fruit
Myrica gale foliage and immature fruit
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fagales
Family: Myricaceae
Genus: Myrica
Species: M. gale
Binomial name
Myrica gale
L.

Myrica gale is a species of flowering plant in the genus Myrica, native to northern and western Europe and parts of northern North America. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 1-2 m tall. Common names include Bog-myrtle and Sweet Gale. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 2-5 cm long, oblanceolate with a tapered base and broader tip, and a crinkled or finely toothed margin. The flowers are catkins, with male and female catkins on separate plants (dioecious). The fruit is a small drupe.

Male plant with catkins in winter
Male plant with catkins in winter

It typically grows in acidic peat bogs, and to cope with these difficult nitrogen-poor growing conditions, the roots have nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria which enable the plants to grow.

[edit] Uses

The foliage has a sweet resinous scent, and is a traditional insect repellant, used by campers to keep biting insects out of tents. It is also a traditional ingredient of Royal Wedding bouquets, and is used variously in perfumery and as a condiment.

In northwestern Europe (Germany, Belgium and Great Britain), it was a much used in a mixture called gruit as a flavouring for beer from the Middle Ages to the 16th century, but it fell into disuse after hops had become widely available.

Boots chemist are planning to increase production of the plant in Scotland for use as an essential oil for treating sensitive skin and acne.[1]

[edit] Cautions

Myrica gale is an abortifacient and should not be consumed by women who are, or might be, pregnant.[citation needed]

[edit] External links

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