Hedge bedstraw, False baby's breath, White bedstraw
Galium mollugo

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 30-90 cm tall and spreads 30-50 cm wide. The stems are 4 angled and weak. They can be erect or spreading. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped. They are thin textured. They are 25 mm long. They occur in rings of 6 to 8. They have rough edges. The flowers are small and white. They have purple flecks. They occur as many flowers together at the ends of branches.

There are about 300 Galium species. There are 60 species in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in grassy habitats and open woodlands. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 2-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Australia, Britain, Denmark, Europe, Greenland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Morocco, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay

How it is used for food

The leaves are added to herb mixtures in pistic.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Navadna lakota, Revala, White madder

Synonyms

Galium amani Kotschy ex Boiss.; Galium attentuatum Klokov & Zaver.; and many others