Myrica gale- Sweet gale
Range: Circumpolar
distribution.
Climate, elevation: Mostly
at low elevations. (Pojar 1994)
Local occurrence: Not
specified.
Habitat preferences: Wetlands
(bogs, fens, swamps, upper fringes of salt marshes, lake margins). (Pojar 1994) Full sun and wet moderately nitrogen-rich soils. It is sumbiotic
with a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. (Spear Cooke 1997)
Plant strategy type/successional
stage: Small deciduous shrub, male and
female flowers are born on separate plants. (Spear Cooke 1997)
Associated species: Spirea douglasii, Carex obnupta, and
Carex aquatilis.
May be collected as: Ripe fruit
(drupe). (USDA 1974)
Collection restrictions or guidelines: Not
specified.
Seed germination: Remove waxy coating prior to stratification or
sowing. Light is essential for the
germination of this species. (USDA 1974)
Germination is accelerated by 30-90 days of pre-chilling. Dewaxed fruits show
some germination enhancement from gibberellin
enrichment. (Young & Young 1992).
Seed life: Seeds may
be initially viable for 9 months with waxy coating intact, or 6 months if
removed. (USDA 1974)
Recommended seed storage conditions: Store with
waxy coating intact, in dry storage at room temperature. (USDA 1974)
Propagation recommendations: Seed germination requires cold stratification . (USDA 2004)
Soil or medium requirements: Not specified.
Installation form: Not specified.
Recommended planting density: 3500-7000 per acre. (USDA 2004)
Care requirements after installed: Not
specified.
Normal rate of growth or spread: Moderate growth rate (USDA 2004)
Sources cited:
Pojar, J., MacKinnon, A.
1994. Plants of the
Spear Cooke, S. 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of
USDA,
USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National
Plant Data Center,
Young, C., Young, J. 1992. Seeds of woody plants in North America. Dioscorides Press,
Data compiled by: Jennifer Boardman