BEDSTRAW

Bedstraw (Galium). also called Cleavers, any plant from the genus Galium of the madder family (Rubiaceae), containing about 300 species of low perennial herbs found in damp woods and swamps and along stream banks and shores throughout the world. The finely toothed, often needle-shaped leaves are borne in whorls of four to eight. The small flowers, borne in clusters, are green, yellow, or white. The fruit is composed of two rounded nuts that are 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, formerly Asperula odorata), or waldmeister, has an odour similar to that of freshly mown hay; its dried shoots are used in perfumes and sachets and for flavouring beverages. Lady's bedstraw, or yellow bedstraw (G. verum), is used in Europe to curdle milk and to colour cheese. The roots of several species of Galium yield a red dye.