Sweet Gale (Myrica gale)

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 six feet. Common names include Bog Myrtle and Sweet Gale. The leaves are spirally arranged, simple, 1 to 2 inch 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. The foliage has a sweet resinous scent and is a traditional insect repellent, 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 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. In modern times, some brewers have revisited this historic technique.

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

• Leaves are edible raw
• Leaves andnutlets are suitable for soups, stews and other cooking
• Should not be consumed by pregnant women ; since it can induce abortions.

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