Galium boreale (Northern bedstraw) 6-pack
Northern bedstraw Description:
Galium boreale, also known as northern bedstraw, is a perennial plant species in the Rubiaceae family. It is native to northern North America, including Alaska, Canada, and parts of the northern United States.
This plant grows to a height of 10-80 cm, with a slender, four-sided stem that is often reddish and has small downward-facing hairs. The leaves are arranged in whorls of four to eight and are narrow, lance-shaped, and up to 3 cm long. The leaves and stems have a slightly rough texture due to the presence of small, stiff hairs.
The flowers of Galium boreale are small, white, and star-shaped, with four to eight petals. They grow in clusters at the top of the stem and branches and bloom from June to August. The plant produces small, egg-shaped fruit that are less than 1 cm long and covered in short hairs.
Galium boreale is typically found in damp to dry habitats, including forests, meadows, bogs, and rocky slopes. It is often used for medicinal purposes by some Indigenous groups, who use the plant to treat a variety of ailments, including colds, coughs, and digestive issues.
Native Range:
Northern bedstraw is native to most of the continental United States with the exception of the Southeastern portions of the country including Georgia, Florida, and surrounding states.
Standard Plant Information:
Plant Height: 1' - 3'
Bloom Time: June - August
Preferred Habitat: Does well in part shade to full sun. Often found in open woods, woodland edges, fields, and prairies.