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Native Plant Database

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Myrica gale (Sweetgale)
Makin, Julie

Myrica gale L.

Sweetgale

Myricaceae (Bayberry Family)

Synonyms: Myrica gale var. subglabra

USDA Symbol: myga

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Sweetgale is a low-growing, 2-4 ft. high, deciduous, bushy shrub with glossy, dark-green to grayish foliage. The long leaves are sweet-scented. Inconspicuous flowers are borne in catkins.

Sweetgale is a member of the wax-myrtle or bayberry family (family Myricaceae), which occurs nearly worldwide, with about 40 species of small trees and shrubs; 5 native tree species and 3 shrub species in North America.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Gray-Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Blue , Brown
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , MA , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , VT , WA , WI
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Lab. to AK, s. to Long Island, MI, MN & n.w. OR; rarely along mts. to NC & TN
Native Habitat: Bogs; pond shores
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet to moist soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Myrica gale in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Myrica gale in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Myrica gale

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-04-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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