Bog-myrtle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bog myrtle
• meadow-fern
• sweet bayberry
• sweet gale
• Bog-myrtle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrica palustris var. subglabra
• Myrica gale subsp. tomentosa
• Myrica rothmaleriana
• Myrica palustris
• Myrica tomentosa
• Myrica gale f. pubescens
• Myrica gale var. subarctica
• Myrica gale var. tomentosa
• Myrica gale var. subglabra
• Gale japonica
• Gale palustris
• Gale palustris var. crenata
• Gale palustris var. denticulata
• Gale palustris var. lusitanica
• Gale portugalensis
• Gale uliginosa
• Gale commune
• Gale belgica
• Myrica gale var. portugalensis
• Myrica uchanovii
• Gale palustris var. subglabra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fagales, it is classified under the family Myrricaceae and is specifically identified as part of the genus Myrica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of distribution across several northern European territories. It can be found growing naturally within the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the regions of Norway. These locations highlight its preference for the northern reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrica gale is defined by its preference for transitional and saturated environments, primarily colonizing forest edges and open meadows. This species thrives in highly specific moisture-rich niches, frequently establishing itself in wet, sandy substrates, along various shores, and within the dense, organic layers of swamps. By occupying these ecotones between terrestrial forests and aquatic systems, the plant plays a crucial role in stabilizing riparian margins and managing nutrient cycling in waterlogged soils. Its ability to tolerate periodic inundation and nutrient-poor, acidic, or sandy conditions allows it to dominate specialized wetland habitats where other woody vegetation might struggle to persist.

Habitat :

forest edges, meadows: wet, sand, shores, swamps

Life history

The life history of Myrica gale is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground level, contributing to its structural complexity in wetland or boggy habitats. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural phenological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrica gale is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. It is an independent species, not behaving as a parasite or an epiphyte, and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 1.5085 meters, with individual specimens generally ranging from a minimum height of 0.6 meters to a maximum height of 1.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.5085 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrica gale is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism for plants in temperate and wetland environments that utilizes the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The species exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, with a mean leaf size of 1.69 cm². Its leaf structure is further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 115.62 cm²/g, which reflects the relationship between its leaf area and dry mass, providing insight into its resource acquisition strategies and leaf thickness. Additionally, Myrica gale is classified as a non-carnivorous species, relying on traditional root-based nutrient uptake and symbiotic relationships rather than the capture of prey to meet its nutritional requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

1.69 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

115.62 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrica gale is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on the wind for the transfer of pollen. Genetic diversity is maintained through the absence of self-fertilization. Following pollination, the plant produces fruit categorized as a drupe, which is indehiscent. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.00132 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00121 g to a maximum of 0.0016 g. Dispersal of these seeds is classified as anthropochorous, occurring through human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0016 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00132 g

Seed mass min:

0.00121 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrica gale has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Myrica gale has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, CATECHIN, Epicatechin, Epigallocatechin, Gallocatechin.

1,8-Cineole

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CATECHIN

1. Fitoterapia

Epicatechin

1. Fitoterapia

Epigallocatechin

1. Fitoterapia

Gallocatechin

1. Fitoterapia

LIMONENE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate

1. Fitoterapia

polyphenols

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Conditions

Myrica gale has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include obesity, type 2 diabetes.

Obesity

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Type 2 diabetes

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Preparations

Myrica gale has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EE.

Ee

1. Frontiers in nutrition