This prairie perennial has creeping rhizomes that often form dense patches. It is commonly named for its historical use as a mattress and pillow stuffing. Young plants and leaves are edible and have medicinal uses, while roots can be used for making a red dye. Flowers are mainly pollinated by flies and beetles, but are capable of self-pollination. They also attract bees, ants, butterflies, and moths.
Flower Colour:
White
Flowering Season:
Spring
Summer
Flowering Months:
August
July
June
May
Canadian Rarity Status:
Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Physical Appearance:
Numerous, erect, branching stems grow 20-80 cm tall, and are 4-sided with tufts of hair below the nodes. Narrow, lance-shaped stem leaves have three distinct parallel veins and smooth edges, occurring in whorls of four. Basal leaves die back early. Numerous, tiny white, saucer-shaped flowers occur in a branching terminal cluster. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, each one having four pointy-tipped petals. Fruits are hairy nutlets.
Similar Species:
Pale Comandra, Small Bedstraw (Galium trifidum L.), Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum Michx.)
Gardening Notes:
Seeds and/or plants are often available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Plants are a good addition to pond edge/wetland, woodland, or prairie gardens. They can be propagated by seed, rhizome cuttings, or division of mature plants.
Madder (Rubiaceae)
Northern Bedstraw
Galium boreale L.This prairie perennial has creeping rhizomes that often form dense patches. It is commonly named for its historical use as a mattress and pillow stuffing. Young plants and leaves are edible and have medicinal uses, while roots can be used for making a red dye. Flowers are mainly pollinated by flies and beetles, but are capable of self-pollination. They also attract bees, ants, butterflies, and moths.
Flower Colour:
Flowering Season:
Flowering Months:
Canadian Rarity Status:
Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Physical Appearance:
Numerous, erect, branching stems grow 20-80 cm tall, and are 4-sided with tufts of hair below the nodes. Narrow, lance-shaped stem leaves have three distinct parallel veins and smooth edges, occurring in whorls of four. Basal leaves die back early. Numerous, tiny white, saucer-shaped flowers occur in a branching terminal cluster. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants, each one having four pointy-tipped petals. Fruits are hairy nutlets.
Similar Species:
Pale Comandra, Small Bedstraw (Galium trifidum L.), Sweet-scented Bedstraw (Galium triflorum Michx.)
Gardening Notes:
Seeds and/or plants are often available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Plants are a good addition to pond edge/wetland, woodland, or prairie gardens. They can be propagated by seed, rhizome cuttings, or division of mature plants.
Canadian Distribution:
Prairie Types:
Habitats:
Moisture Conditions:
Light Preference:
Soil Preference:
Associated Pollinators: