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Myrica gale
  • Bog Myrtle

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Myrica genus in the family Myricaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 1
    Zone 1
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Myrica gale has 0 edible uses listed
Myrica gale has 0 material uses listed
Myrica gale has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

This plant is an abortifacient and so should not be eaten by pregnant women[1][2].

Edible uses

Notes

The aromatic fruits and leaves are used either fresh or dried to flavour soups, stews etc[3][1][4][5][6]. They are sometimes put in beer and ale to improve the flavour and increase foaming[6]. The fruit is about 3mm in diameter with a single large seed[7]. The dried leaves make a delicate and palatable tea[1][4][2][6].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A wax covering on the fruit and leaves is extracted by scalding the fruit with boiling water and immersing them for a few minutes, the wax floats to the surface and is then skimmed off. The fruit is then boiled in water to extract the wax from the pulp and once more the wax is skimmed off. It is then strained through a muslin cloth and can be used to make aromatic candles[1][8][9]. These candles diffuse a delightful odour when burnt[9]. Unfortunately this species does not produce enough wax to make it commercially viable[10].

A yellow dye is obtained from the stem tips[11][10][2]. Brown according to another report[12]. A yellow dye is obtained from the seeds[12]. The bark contains tannin and can be gathered in the autumn and used as a yellow dye[1]. The plant repels moths and insects in general[11][13][10]. The fragrant leaves are used[1][5]. A strong decoction of the leaves can be used as a parasiticide to kill external body parasites[2].

A fragrant essential oil is obtained from the fruits[10].

Unknown part

Dye
Essential
Parasiticide
Repellent
Tannin
Wax

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are abortifacient, aromatic, astringent, emmenagogue and stomachic[1][14][2][15]. The leaves are normally used as a tea, but they do contain a poisonous aromatic oil, so some caution is advised in their use[1].

Unknown part

Abortifacient
Aromatic
Astringent
Emmenagogue
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Barely cover the seed and keep it moist. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame. Germination is usually good[16]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up and overwinter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage[16]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring[7].

Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Myrica gale. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

There is some difference of opinion about the needs of this plant. Most reports say that it prefers a moist soil and that it grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Most reports also say that it prefers or even requires a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[17][7] but another report says that it succeeds in any ordinary garden soil[18]. In the wild it is usually found in soils with a pH between 3.5 and 6, but it is also sometimes found in fens with a pH as high as 7.5[19].

A suckering shrub, when well sited it can form thickets[19]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[7].This habit also allows the plant to succeed in water-logged soils[19]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. This plant is occasionally monoecious and also can change sex from year to year[20]. Flowers are produced mainly on one-year old wood[1]. All parts of the plant are pleasantly aromatic[19]. A good food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[21].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Myrica gale. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Myrica gale.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Myrica gale
Genus
Myrica
Family
Myricaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][1][4][5][6][7][2]
Medicinal uses
[1][14][2][15]
Material uses & Functions
[1][8][9][10][11][2][12][13][5]
Botanic
[18][22][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
1
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

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    "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.11 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana ISBN 0-00-635555-2 (1979-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press ISBN 0-946284-51-2 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    17. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.219.3 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-00-00)
    20. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
    21. ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (1982-00-00)
    22. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-5" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Myrica gale.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Myrica_gale&oldid=78810"
    Facts about "Myrica gale"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyMyricaceae +
    Belongs to genusMyrica +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has binomial nameMyrica gale +
    Has common nameBog Myrtle +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part + and Fruit +
    Has edible useCondiment +, Unknown use + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has hardiness zone1 +
    Has imageMyrica gale.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Essential +, Parasiticide +, Repellent +, Tannin + and Wax +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAbortifacient +, Aromatic +, Astringent +, Emmenagogue + and Stomachic +
    Has primary imageMyrica gale.jpg +
    Has search namemyrica gale + and bog myrtle +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMyrica gale +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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