Northern Bedstraw (Galium Boreale)

Features and Characteristics

Although Steyermark reports that Galium boreale subsp. septentrionale is native to Missouri in several very limited areas of the Ozark region (certain limestone ledges and bluffs in Texas and Shannon Counties), the straight species is not found in the State but is common across Canada and the northern U.S. Northern bedstraw is a somewhat weedy perennial that grows on upright, smooth stems to 1-3′ tall and features tiny white flowers that appear in branched terminal and upper axillary clusters in late spring to early summer. Narrow leaves (to 2″ long and 1/2″ wide) appear along the stems in whorls of four. Although the flowers of this plant earn it consideration for a place in the landscape, northern bedstraw may be difficult to find in commerce because few nurseries other than native plant specialists seem to sell it. A more common Missouri plant which also goes by the name of bedstraw is Galium aparine which is a sprawling annual weed featuring weak bristly stems and seeds, both of which commonly stick to clothing.

Genus name comes from the Greek word gala meaning milk. G. vernus can be used to curdle milk for making cheese.

Specific epithet means northern.