Rubiaceae
Bedstraw Family
Galium boreale L.
- Stem: perennial; 1’ to 2’ tall; much branched; hairs on the angles of the stem.
- Leaves: whorled, mostly four leaves at each node; linear-oval with pointed tips; 1” by 1/16”; three-veined near the bases; sessile; stiff hairs on the leaf margins and midribs below, smooth above.
- Inflorescence: much branched; many flowers; cylindrical to conical, 2” to 4” long.
- Flowers: corolla white, four lobes, 1/16” long; ovary below the corolla (inferior ovary); no calyx; flowering from mid-June to mid-July.
- Fruits: two-lobed, 1/16” long; hairy; fruiting begins in early July.
- Habitat: common on moist to mesic prairies; also in open woods and on roadsides; infrequent to the west and south.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
