Galium erectum Huds.
Galium mollugo L. ssp. erectum (Huds.) Briq.
Galium mollugo L. var. erectum (Huds.) Domin
Galium mollugo L. Smooth bedstraw, false baby’s breath, upright bedstraw, upright hedge bedstraw, white bedstraw, wild madder
A European native, smooth bedstraw was introduced and now common in North America. This and related plants are called bedstraws because a fragrant-smelling yellow-flowered species, Galium verum, was used to stuff mattresses in medieval times. Some members of Galium: |
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Galium aparine |
You are here Galium mollugo |
Galium odoratum |
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Common Name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plant | Stem is square stem, purplish in the spring, green as the plant matures. All parts of the plant are covered with tiny velcro-like hooks. | Up to 3′ (1 m), vinelike. Stems are square and smooth. | Low-growing plant may reach 1½′ (50 cm) in length, but only about 8″ (20 cm) in height. Plants have an appealing sweet scent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | 4-petaled, white, ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around, appearing from May to July. | Hundreds of tiny white 4-petaled flowers ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across, producing white masses. | Small white flowers, each ⅛-¼″ (4-7 mm) in diameter, are raised above the leaves on thin stalks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | Whorls of 6-8 leaves every few inches, each 1-2″ (2.5-5 cm) long. | In whorls of 6-8, 1-1½″ (2.5-3.8 cm) long, smooth. | ¾-1¾″ (2-5 cm) long, arranged in whorls of 6-9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones | USDA Zones: 4-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | Wild | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occurrence | Common | Common | Common |
Identification: Smooth bedstraw is vine-like, growing to a length of up to 4′ (1.2 m). If it is flowering, its tiny flowers occurs in white masses that stand out in meadows. If not, you'll notice the regular whorls of 6-8 leaves every few inches. They give it a neat, orderly appearance. Leaves are 1½-2″ (3.8-5 cm) long. On closer inspection, there is the perfectly square stem, which may be purplish in the spring, but is green as the plant matures. The 4-petaled flowers are white and about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around, on a stalk that is longer than the flower is wide. Unlike catchweed bedstraw, which feels sandpapery to the touch, smooth bedstraw is smooth.
Online References:
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
The Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
The University of Massachusetts Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program
Galium erectum Huds.
Galium mollugo L. ssp. erectum (Huds.) Briq.
Galium mollugo L. var. erectum (Huds.) Domin
Galium mollugo description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 Sep 2021.
Range: