MYRICACE^E SWEET GALE FAMILY 



Myrica asplenifolia, L. 



April-May Fern-gale, Spleenwort Bush, 



Fern Bush, Sweet Bush, 



Meadow Fern, Sweet Ferry, 



Shrubbery Fern, Sweet Fern, 



Canada Sweet Gale, Fernwort Bush. 



Myrica: ancient name of the Tamarisk or some other 



shrub; perhaps from the Greek word to perfume. 

 Asplenifolia: Latin for leaves of Asplenium (a fern). 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: dry, sandy soil of the Commons. 



THE PLANT: very slightly shrubby, one foot to two and 

 one half feet tall, much branched; the branches erect or 

 spreading; the stem reddish-brown. 



THE LEAVES : alternate ; linear-lanceolate ; deeply pinnatifid 

 into numerous, rounded, entire or sparingly dentate lobes 

 which are three to six inches long; obtuse or slightly acute 

 at the apex; short-petioled. 



THE FLOWERS: minute, in catkins, which are out before 

 the leaves, reddish-brown, at the ends of the branches. 

 In this formation lies one of the reasons for the classifica- 

 tion as a Myrica. 



THE FRUIT: a bur-like green nut. 



A welcome native of the Commons, where its fern-like 

 leaves add a still different shade of green to the many 

 neutral tints. The plant withers quickly after being 

 picked, but retains its fragrance a long time. 



As an herb, it has tonic properties and was included in 

 the family medicine-chest. 



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