Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Myricaceae ⟩ Myrica gale / bog myrtle

Myrica gale L.

bog myrtle (Myricaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadModerate tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Myrica gale is a small, sweet-smelling shrub that grows in bogs and wet heaths.

Brockenhurst (VC11: South Hampshire); 2008-06-07

 bog myrtle / Myrica gale: _Myrica gale_ is a small, sweet-smelling shrub that grows in bogs and wet heaths.

Myrica gale is dioecious; male plants produce yellow spikes of staminiferous flowers.

Brockenhurst (VC11: South Hampshire); 2008-06-07

 bog myrtle / Myrica gale: _Myrica gale_ is dioecious; male plants produce yellow spikes of staminiferous flowers.

Female plants produce smaller, bright red spikes of female flowers.

East Boldre (VC11: South Hampshire); 2016-05-12

 bog myrtle / Myrica gale: Female plants produce smaller, bright red spikes of female flowers.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne