Any low perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Galium , in the madder family , found in damp woods and swamps and along stream banks and shores.
Bedstraws bear finely toothed, often needle-shaped leaves in whorls of four to eight; clusters of small green, yellow, or white flowers; and fruit composed of two rounded nut s joined together. Northern bedstraw ( G. boreale ), marsh bedstraw ( G. palustre ), and goosegrass ( G. aparine ) are common throughout Europe and have become naturalized in parts of North America. Sweet woodruff ( G. odoratum ) smells like freshly mown hay ; its dried shoots are used in perfumes, sachets, and beverages. The roots of several species yield a red dye.