Northern Bedstraw
ExplorePlants
Northern Bedstraw
Galium boreale
Northern Bedstraw is a small plant with tiny, star-like flowers. It grows in cool places like forests and fields, and its leaves are whorled around the stem, making it look very special!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Northern Bedstraw has upright, square stems with narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls of four. It produces numerous tiny, white, four-petaled flowers clustered at the top of the stems, creating a delicate, airy appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyRubiaceaeGenusGalium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its family name, 'Bedstraw', comes from people once stuffing mattresses with soft, dried relatives of this plant!
Its tiny seeds have hooks, making them expert hitchhikers on animal fur or clothing!
The genus name 'Galium' comes from Greek for milk, as some relatives were used to curdle milk!
The roots of this plant were once used by some cultures to make a natural red dye!
Special abilities
Ability
Hitchhiker Seeds
Northern Bedstraw has tiny hooks on its seeds that cling to animals, helping it spread far and wide.
Ability
Underground Explorer
This plant spreads using hidden underground roots (rhizomes) to form dense patches and find new resources.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Bedstraw Hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Its caterpillars feed on the leaves of this plant.
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on its stems and leaves.
pollinates
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
Helps spread pollen while foraging for nectar.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Dye
This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you're with an adult who knows they're safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Northern Bedstraw?
30-90 cm
How wide does Northern Bedstraw spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Northern Bedstraw?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does Northern Bedstraw bloom?
Summer
Is Northern Bedstraw edible?
Yes
Is Northern Bedstraw toxic?
None
What is Northern Bedstraw's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Northern Bedstraw pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg)
