Latin Name : | Myrica gale |
English Name : | Sweet Gale, Bog Myrtle |
French Name : | Myrique baumier |
Family : | Myricaceae |
Origin : | Canada |
History and Origin
Sweet Gale presents a very vast geographical distribution in North America. Sweet gale grows easily in the shrubby border of flood plains of the lakes and rivers, where it forms large populations. It is a perennial small-sized shrub with curved branches leaning over the water. Native Americans used it to preserve food, to prepare dye and in fumigations to keep mosquitoes away. They also prepared a diuretic decoction with branches.