White Bedstraw

White Bedstraw
White Bedstraw. Galium album, also Galium mollugo.
Rubiaceae, the bedstraw family.

Description:
Plant: Erect, slender, squarish, sometimes branching stems with periodic whorls of leaves, and loose, branching clusters of small white flowers, 1'-2'. Perennial.
Flowers: White, tiny, with four pointed petals, and four stamens. In loose, branching, terminal clusters.
Leaves: In whorls of 8, or sometimes 6 higher on the stem, that occur periodically along the stems. Leaflets narrow, obovate, with fine marginal hairs, 1/2"-1".
Fruit: Dry, smooth capsule.
Blooming: June-August
Habitat: Fields, roadsides.

Comments: One of several bedstraws in our area, this one is introduced from Europe. The plant is also known as Wild Madder. It is related to the true madders (Rubia species) from which the red dye is obtained. The foliage has a pleasant scent, recalling new-mown hay. One legend has it that bedstraw was in the manger in which the baby Jesus was laid.

Where to find it: Patches west of the bike path as it runs south from the park entrance.