Practical
Plants

Galium gracile

a perennial member of the Galium genus in the family Rubiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Galium
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Flies, Beetles, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Beetles, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[5].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is anodyne, antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge[1]. A decoction is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, bloody and mucoid dysentery, gonorrhoea, 'red' and 'white' discharge (bloody and mucous discharge), cancerous tumours and infantile marismus[1]. A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries[4]. 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[4].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A red dye is obtained from the root[2].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Village outskirts, grassy thickets along ditches[1].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[3]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[3]. 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[3]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[3]. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[3]. This species does not thrive in a hot climate[3].

References

  1. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  5. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

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