West Highland Flora

Bog Myrtle


Myrica gale

 

Myrica gale

Photo © Carl Farmer
16 Sep 2001 Broadford, Skye

Common on wet ground, especially on peat.  Can form extensive stands on moors.

Bushes c 50-150 cm tall.  Leaves c 2-6 cm.  Male catkins c 10-30 mm long, female ones c 5-10 mm.

ID: Leaves and twigs spotted with yellow glands.  Twigs grow nearly vertical, starting reddish and becoming darker brown with age.  Leaves have a gum-like scent when crushed.

Other features: Catkins appear in April.  Plants are usually all-male or all-female, but may change sex from year to year.  Female flowers each have 2 red styles, male have 4 red stamens which quickly disintegrate to release clouds of golden pollen.  Occasionally hermaphrodite flowers occur.

 

 

Myrica gale

Photo © Carl Farmer
9 May 2006 Rigg, Skye
Whole spray of fls c 12 cm across

Male plant 

  Myrica gale

Photo © Carl Farmer
9 May 2006 Rigg, Skye
Middle stem tip to its lowest red flower c 2.5 cm

Female plant 

 

Myrica gale

Photo © Carl Farmer
9 May 2006 Rigg, Skye

Male catkins

  Myrica gale

Photo © Carl Farmer
9 May 2006 Rigg, Skye

Female catkins

 

Myrica gale

Photo © Carl Farmer
16 Feb 2003 Portree, Skye
Buds c 8x3.5 mm

Male catkins in bud

 

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