Lady’s Bedstraw, Yellow bedstraw, Yellow cleavers
Galium verum

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A herb or small plant. It grows 0.9-1.2 m tall and spreads 0.9 m wide. It keeps growing from year to year and forms clumps. The stems are square and can become woody near the base. The leaves are small and narrow. They are 30 mm long. They occur in rings of 6 to 8 and have rough edges. These are rolled under and have bristles at the tips. The flowers occur in dense spikes. They are star shaped and yellow.

There are about 300 Galium species. There are 60 species in tropical America. Chemical composition: citric and glallotanic acids; asperulosid glucoside = 0.21%; minute quantity of a fragrant oil. 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 open woodland and grassland. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 2-10. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Central Asia, China, Czech Republic, Europe, France, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a coffee substitute. The yellow colouring was used for colouring cheese and butter. The flowering tops are used to curdle milk for cheese and yoghurt. The flowering tops in water are used as a drink.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Cheese rennet, Cuajaleches, Gulmaure, Hundred fold, Prava lakota, Sanziene, Sari yogurtotu, Tejolto galaj

Synonyms

Asterophyllum galium Schimp. & Spenn.; Rubia vera (L.) Baill.; and many others