Practical
Plants

Galium triflorum

Fragrant Bedstraw

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Galium
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 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[7][2]. A tea is made from the flowering stems[2].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Tea

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.

An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of gallstones and kidney complaints[5]. A poultice of the whole plant has been used to treat backaches in babies[5]. 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
Kidney
Product or use
Lithontripic

Material uses

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

A red dye is obtained from the root[1]. The plant is aromatic. It has been crushed and used as a perfume, particularly by women[5]. The aroma is given off as the plant dries[5]. A poultice of the whole plant has been rubbed on the scalp to encourage hair growth[5]. The plant is used as a stuffing material for mattresses etc[2].

Product or use
Cosmetic
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Stuffing

Environment

Range
Circumboreal.
Habitat
Moist woods near sea level, to moderate elevations in the mountains in Western N. America.
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 situ in the spring though it may be very slow to germinate[3]. Division in spring. The plant can be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established[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.

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

    ↩

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  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. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

  7. 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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