Hedge Bedstraw, False baby's breath
Galium mollugo

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

Galium mollugo is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

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

Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and temperate Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw or cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The plant is lithontripic and vulnerary. It is also used in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria. Both Asperuloside (a terpenoid) and Coumarin (a benzopyrone) occur in some species of Galium. 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.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Epilepsy: Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.

Lithontripic: Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating: 3

A red dye is obtained from the root. It is very fiddly to utilize. A good ground cover for growing in cool shade under shrubs or in the woodland garden.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

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

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

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Hedgerow;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

G. elatum. G. erectum.