Photos: nr Ballingeary, Co.Cork

Bog Myrtle Myrica gale Raideog Family: Myricaceae Flowering time: April - May. Deciduous shrub. Native. Flowers in catkins, female yellow-green, male red/brown, on separate plants.(Dioecious). Appear before leaves. Fruit surrounded by enlarged bracteoles. Leaves grey-green, oblong, very fragrant when rubbed. Height: To 1 mt Wet heaths, bogs and lake edges. Most frequent in the SW, W and NW, scarce in the centre and E of Ireland.

Photograph above: Bog Myrtle near Ballingeary, Co.Cork.