Galium verum - Lady's Bedstraw
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 0.6 |
| Width: | 1 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | Most of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia. |
Lady's Bedstraw will flower in January to February. 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
Lady's Bedstraw will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important 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
Lady's Bedstraw prefers either dry or moist soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Lady's Bedstraw can grow in semi or areas with no shade.Waste ground, roadsides etc[7], mainly near the sea[4], on all but the most acid soils[17].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Grows within a woodland garden
- Grows on a sunny edge
- Works within dappled Shade
- Suits a meadow
Cultivation Details
Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade, but it tolerates a position in full sun[14]. Plants are tolerant of dry soils[1], but do not thrive in a hot climate. They dislike very acid soils[17, 53]. A very invasive plant[1], though it is low-growing and mixes without harm with any plants at least 60cm tall[K]. It grows well in the summer meadow[24] and is a food plant for the larvae of several species of butterflies[30].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 3/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[62, 179]. A yellow dye from the flowering stems is used as a food colouring[105, 183]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[7]. The seed is also said to be edible[179]. The chopped up plant can be used as a rennet to coagulate plant milks[7, 67, 115, 183, 244]. The flowering tops are distilled in water to make a refreshing acid beverage[2, 183].
- Coffee - the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
- Colouring - edible dyes
- Curdling agent - used to curdle soya milk in making cheese.
- Drink - not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
- Leaves -
- Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 2/5
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[254]. The leaves, stems and flowering shoots are antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, foot care, lithontripic and vulnerary[4, 7, 9]. The plant is used as a remedy in gravel, stone or urinary disorders[4, 9, 53, 238] and is believed to be a remedy for epilepsy[4, 21]. A powder made from the fresh plant is used to soothe reddened skin and reduce inflammation[7] whilst the plant is also used as a poultice on cuts, skin infections, slow-healing wounds etc[9]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[9]. 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.
- Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
- Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
- Foot care - Plants that are used in various ways to treat foot problems.
- 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 situ in the spring though it may be very slow to germinate[200]. Division in spring. The plant can be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established[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 knownOther Uses
A red dye is obtained from the root[4, 6, 7, 67, 115]. It is rather fiddly to utilize[169]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowering tops[4, 7, 115]. The dye is obtained from the foliage when it is boiled with alum[207]. The dried plant has the scent of newly mown hay, it was formerly used as a strewing herb[24] and for stuffing mattresses etc[61, 67, 115]. It is said to keep fleas away[207]. A sprig in a shoe is said to prevent blisters[67].- Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
- Repellent - Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
- Strewing - Plants, usually aromatic, that are strewn on the floor to give a nice smell, repel insects etc.
- Stuffing - Used in making soft toys, mattresses, pillows etc.
Cultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
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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