Galium verum aka Yellow Spring Bedstraw

Taxonomy

Galium verum, also known as lady's bedstraw or yellow bedstraw, is a herbaceous perennial plant from the Rubiaceae family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, but has also naturalized in other parts of the world such as Tasmania, New Zealand, Canada, and the northern half of the United States. This low scrambling plant grows up to 60-120 cm long, with stems that root wherever they touch the ground. The leaves are dark green, shiny, and hairy underneath, growing in whorls of 8-12. Its yellow flowers are small and produced in dense clusters during its flowering season from July to August. Lady's bedstraw is sometimes mistaken for Galium odoratum, which is a species with traditional culinary uses. Although rumored to be the plant Mary laid upon as she gave birth to Jesus, there is no proof of this. Lady's bedstraw is important in herbal medicine and was brought to North America by early immigrants, where it has naturalized and become a noxious weed in some areas. This plant is a hardy perennial that grows up to 0.6 m and prefers direct light and well-draining soil. It is hermaphrodite and pollinated by flies and beetles. Yellow Spring Bedstraw is a rare houseplant from the Galium genus, native to Europe and Southwestern Asia. It needs regular watering and direct light to thrive, and is best kept less than a foot away from a window. Repotting every time it doubles in size can help it grow without the need for added fertilizers.

Common names

Yellow Spring Bedstraw, Lady's Bedstraw, Yellow Bedstraw

How to care for Yellow Spring Bedstraw

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Yellow Spring Bedstraw is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Yellow Spring Bedstraw should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Yellow Spring Bedstraw loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Yellow Spring Bedstraw requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Lady's Bedstraw is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Yellow Spring Bedstraw to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The Yellow Spring Bedstraw should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Yellow Spring Bedstraw’s native range is Most of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia