Sweet Gale

Sweet Gale

Sweet Gale Myrica gale is a shrubby plant that is commonly found growing in shallow water and swampy places in northern North America. It grows a metre or so high and has many branches bearing simple leaves with toothed margins at their tips. Clusters of male and female flowers are on separate plants and they have no sepals or petals. The fruits have two little spongy leaflets that keep them afloat and so help their dispersal. Crushed leaves give off a fragrant perfume. [CH] {WO}