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Galium mollugo - L.

Common Name Hedge Bedstraw, False baby's breath
Family Rubiaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hedgebanks, open woodland, scrub and grassy slopes, especially on base-rich and calcareous soils[17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade
Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw, False baby


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez
Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw, False baby
biolib.de

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Galium mollugo is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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

G. elatum. G. erectum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[62].

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.
Antispasmodic  Epilepsy  Lithontripic  Vulnerary

The plant is lithontripic and vulnerary. It is also used in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria[4]. 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

A red dye is obtained from the root[100, 168]. It is very fiddly to utilize[169]. A good ground cover for growing in cool shade under shrubs or in the woodland garden[200].

Special Uses

Ground cover

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]. A polymorphic species[17].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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 borealeNorthern BedstrawPerennial0.5 0-0  LMHSDM222
Galium gracile Perennial0.2 0-0  LMHSDM121
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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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Danielle Denise Nicole Hunt Brown   Tue Feb 19 2008

you need to have more current imfo but u should just stop

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