Galium mollugo - Hedge Bedstraw

Family:	Rubiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	G. elatum. G. erectum.
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and temperate Asia.

Galium mollugo (Hedge Bedstraw) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m and a width of 0.6m . It has a moderate growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 3and is vunerable to frost.
Hedge Bedstraw will flower in December to March. the seeds ripen from February to March
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies, beetles, self

Soil Information

Hedge Bedstraw will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hedge Bedstraw prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Hedgebanks, open woodland, scrub and grassy slopes, especially on base-rich and calcareous soils[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[200]. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[200]. This species does not thrive in a hot climate[200]. A polymorphic species[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[62].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The plant is lithontripic and vulnerary. It is also used in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria[4]. 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[238]. 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[238].

• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Lithontripic - Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.
• Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[200]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[200]. 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[200]. 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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[100, 168]. It is very fiddly to utilize[169]. A good ground cover for growing in cool shade under shrubs or in the woodland garden[200].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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