Sweetgale

Sweetgale (or Myra'gael in the ancient tongue) is a shrub that grows around wetlands and marshes in the northern regions of Archaera. It is edible, and has a wide variety of medicinal uses.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sweetgale is a smaller flowering shrub that grows up to 2 meters in height. The leaves are a deep gray green, arranged in a spiral around the flower and down the branches. The leaves have a narrow base and a wider tip, with finely toothed edges. The flower is is a catkin, or a cylindrical cluster with small or no petals; this particular catkin resembles a green and reddish brown pinecone. The fruit is small and not easily seen.

Genetics and Reproduction

Male and female flowers reside on separate plants, and plants spread through seeds. They grow best when the fruit is stored at peak ripeness in the autumn and is allowed to stratificate in the cold for about three months and planted in cold soil.

Ecology and Habitats

The sweetgale shrub grows best in bogs, marshes, fens and wetlands with acidic soil; they are found in the same areas as calcereous ferns. Sweetgale is also tasty to beavers, and fish use it as shelter along the banks of ponds.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Sweetgale leaves are used as an herbal remedy; with the correct processing, they can be used as an astringent, as well as in certain aspects of healing. Dried leaves can be steeped into a tea. The leaves also contain an oil that can be used on the skin as an insect repellant. The fruits and leaves are both edible, and can be used fresh or dried to flavour soups and stews, and have even been used in beer and ale production. In large quantities, sweetgale is an abortifacient and should not be consumed by pregnant women (though some will use it to terminate an unwanted pregnancy). A yellow or brown dye can be procured from the tip of the stems and the seeds.

Average Height

1-2 meters