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Common Name: Lady's Bedstraw

General Information

Galium verum is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Most of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.

Habitat

Waste ground, roadsides etc[], mainly near the sea[], on all but the most acid soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Flies, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade, but it tolerates a position in full sun[]. Plants are tolerant of dry soils[], but do not thrive in a hot climate. They dislike very acid soils[, ].
A very invasive plant[], though it is low-growing and mixes without harm with any plants at least 60cm tall[]. It grows well in the summer meadow[] and is a food plant for the larvae of several species of butterflies[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ].
A yellow dye from the flowering stems is used as a food colouring[, ].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[]. The seed is also said to be edible[].
The chopped up plant can be used as a rennet to coagulate plant milks[, , , , ].
The flowering tops are distilled in water to make a refreshing acid beverage[, ].

Medicinal

Lady's bedstraw has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, though it is little used in modern medicine. Its main application is as a diuretic and as a treatment for skin complaints[].
The leaves, stems and flowering shoots are antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, foot care, lithontripic and vulnerary[, , ]. The plant is used as a remedy in gravel, stone or urinary disorders[, , , ] and is believed to be a remedy for epilepsy[, ]. A powder made from the fresh plant is used to soothe reddened skin and reduce inflammation[] whilst the plant is also used as a poultice on cuts, skin infections, slow-healing wounds etc[]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[].
A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries[]. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry[].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[, , , , ]. It is rather fiddly to utilize[].
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowering tops[, , ]. The dye is obtained from the foliage when it is boiled with alum[].
The dried plant has the scent of newly mown hay, it was formerly used as a strewing herb[] and for stuffing mattresses etc[, , ]. It is said to keep fleas away[].
A sprig in a shoe is said to prevent blisters[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[]. The seed can also be sown in situ in the spring though it may be very slow to germinate[].
Division in spring. The plant can be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established[]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.