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Galium verum
  • Lady's Bedstraw

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

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Galium verum has 0 edible uses listed
Galium verum has 0 material uses listed
Galium verum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[1][2].

A yellow dye from the flowering stems is used as a food colouring[3][4]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[5]. The seed is also said to be edible[2]. The chopped up plant can be used as a rennet to coagulate plant milks[5][6][7][4][8].

The flowering tops are distilled in water to make a refreshing acid beverage[9][4].

Unknown part

Coffee
Colouring
Curdling agent
Drink

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[10][11][5][6][7]. It is rather fiddly to utilize[12].

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowering tops[10][5][7]. The dye is obtained from the foliage when it is boiled with alum[13]. The dried plant has the scent of newly mown hay, it was formerly used as a strewing herb[14] and for stuffing mattresses etc[15][6][7]. It is said to keep fleas away[13].

A sprig in a shoe is said to prevent blisters[6].

Unknown part

Dye
Repellent
Strewing
Stuffing

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Lady's bedstraw has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, though it is little used in modern medicine. Its main application is as a diuretic and as a treatment for skin complaints[16].

The leaves, stems and flowering shoots are antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, foot care, lithontripic and vulnerary[10][5][17]. The plant is used as a remedy in gravel, stone or urinary disorders[10][17][18][19] and is believed to be a remedy for epilepsy[10][20]. A powder made from the fresh plant is used to soothe reddened skin and reduce inflammation[5] whilst the plant is also used as a poultice on cuts, skin infections, slow-healing wounds etc[17]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[17].

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[19]. 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[19].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Astringent
Diuretic
Foot care
Lithontripic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[21]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the spring though it may be very slow to germinate[21]. Division in spring. The plant can be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established[21]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Galium verum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade, but it tolerates a position in full sun[22]. Plants are tolerant of dry soils[23], but do not thrive in a hot climate. They dislike very acid soils[24][18]. A very invasive plant[23], though it is low-growing and mixes without harm with any plants at least 60cm tall[K]. It grows well in the summer meadow[14] and is a food plant for the larvae of several species of butterflies[25].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Galium verum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Galium verum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Galium verum
Genus
Galium
Family
Rubiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[16][10][5][17][18][19][20]
Material uses & Functions
[10][11][5][6][7][12][13][14][15]
Botanic
[24][21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.6 x 1 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Flies, Beetles, Self
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 (1961-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
  8. ? 8.08.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana ISBN 0-00-635555-2 (1979-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
  15. ? 15.015.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
  19. ? 19.019.119.219.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  21. ? 21.021.121.221.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  22. ? Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
  23. ? 23.023.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  24. ? 24.024.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  25. ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (1982-00-00)

"image:Galium verum01.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Galium_verum&oldid=77426"
Facts about "Galium verum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyRubiaceae +
Belongs to genusGalium +
Has common nameLady's Bedstraw +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Seeds +
Has edible useCoffee substitute +, Colouring +, Curdling agent +, Drink + and Unknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Flies +, Beetles + and Self +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageGalium verum01.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +, Repellent +, Strewing + and Stuffing +
Has mature height0.6 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Astringent +, Diuretic +, Foot care +, Lithontripic + and Vulnerary +
Has primary imageGalium verum01.jpg +
Has search namegalium verum + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameGalium verum +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +