Galium verum aka Yellow Spring Bedstraw

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.