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March 18, 2006 : Myrica gale

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Keywords: Myricaceae | Myrica gale L.

Myrica gale

I'm on vacation, so only a short written accompaniment today. – Daniel

The male flowers of sweetgale are borne in stout catkins. Distributed across the northern forest regions of North America and Eurasia, sweetgale grows on the margins of water bodies. Historically, Myrica gale was used as a food spice by those who could not afford better. More importantly, though, its primary use as a spice was in flavouring beer. Read a fascinating account of the history of beer spices and Myrica gale on Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages.

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at March 18, 2006 12:00 AM

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Can be seen comparatively near Lower Mainland at Tennant Lake, near Ferndale growing in what appears to be rather deep water. Clean looking, bluish leaves attractive.

http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/tennantlake/

Posted by: Ron B at March 18, 2006 1:01 AM

Myrica gale - Z1 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths

Posted by: Beverley at March 18, 2006 7:45 AM

Thanks for showing one of my favorite native shrubs. Sweet gale grows in abundance in our local (western Maine) bog, its feet in water in spring but often above the waterline in summer. Then, it earns its name as one brushes past and the foliage emits a wonderful sweet fragrance.

Posted by: Ginny Remeika at March 18, 2006 10:10 AM

Pojar, Mackinnon, PLANTS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST note "This plant is apparently called 'monkey bush' in Stl'atl'imx, probably because it was used for some purpose by sasquatches."

Posted by: Ron B at March 18, 2006 12:24 PM

CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE BEATIFUL PICTURES.

Posted by: Roberto Comenale at August 30, 2008 5:43 AM

Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!

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