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Galium boreale - L.

Common Name Northern Bedstraw
Family Rubiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocky slopes and streamsides, moraine, scree, shingle, stable dunes etc, to 1050 metres in N. Britain[17].
Range Northern and central Europe, including Britain, south and west to N. Italy and W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade
Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw


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Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Galium boreale is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Leaves - raw or cooked[62, 172]. A tea is made from the flowering stems[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Contraceptive  Diaphoretic  Diuretic

The plant is diaphoretic and diuretic[257]. A decoction has been used as a contraceptive[257]. Both Asperuloside (a terpenoid) and Coumarin (a benzopyrone) occur in some species of Galium. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Stuffing

A red dye is obtained from the root[168, 172]. The plant is used as a stuffing material for mattresses etc[172, 212].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[200]. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[200]. This species does not thrive in a hot climate[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[200]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[200]. This plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself. Division in spring or throughout the growing season if the plants are kept well watered[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Galium aparineGoosegrass, Coachweed, Catchweed, StickywillyAnnual1.2 3-7  LMHFSNDM233
Galium gracile Perennial0.2 0-0  LMHSDM121
Galium mollugoHedge Bedstraw, False baby's breathPerennial1.2 3-7 MLMHSDM123
Galium odoratumSweet Woodruff, Sweetscented bedstraw, BedstrawPerennial0.2 5-9 MLMHFSDM333
Galium spuriumFalse CleaversAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHSDM121
Galium tinctoriumThreepetal BedstrawPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM011
Galium triflorumFragrant BedstrawPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSDM122
Galium verumLady's Bedstraw, Yellow Spring bedstraw, Wirtgen's bedstrawPerennial0.6 3-7  LMHSNDM322

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

17200

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