bog myrtle

Myrica gale

Bog myrtle is a lovely green shrub that grows in wet places like marshes. It has small, fragrant leaves that can smell sweet and spicy, making it special in nature!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The bog myrtle is a bushy deciduous shrub with slender, reddish-brown stems and narrow, grey-green leaves. Its tiny, yellowish-brown flowers appear as distinct catkins before the leaves emerge in early spring. It often forms dense, aromatic thickets.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFagalesFamilyMyricaceaeGenusMyrica

bog myrtle

Interesting facts

Ancient Viking warriors used bog myrtle to keep bugs off!

Before hops, bog myrtle gave beer its bubbly, bitter taste!

Its leaves create a bright yellow dye for clothes and wool!

This plant can grow in bogs where almost nothing else survives!

Special abilities

Bog myrtle has special helpers in its roots that grab nutrients from tough, watery soils, helping it grow strong where others can't.

Bog myrtle's leaves are packed with fragrant oils that naturally shoo away biting insects, protecting itself and anyone nearby.

This plant's leaves were historically used to give beer a unique flavor before hops were common, making it an ancient 'spice' rack.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 50-150 cm
Flower Size: 1-3 cm
Bloom Season: Early spring (March-April)
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Frankia bacteria

Frankia alni

fixes nitrogen in its root nodules

eaten by

Roe Deer

Capreolus capreolus

browses on its leaves and young shoots

shelters

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

provides nesting cover in wet habitats

Traits

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.