Galium latifolium Michaux. Common name: Purple Bedstraw, Wideleaf Bedstraw. Phenology: May-Aug. Habitat: Moist hardwood forests. Distribution: C. PA and KY south to n. GA and n. AL, a Southern and Central Appalachian endemic.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: The closely related G. arkansanum A. Gray is the Ozarkian sibling of the Appalachian G. latifolium. Var. hispidum, named from VA, needs additional inquiry.
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, K1, K3, K4, Pa, RAB, S, Tn, Va, W; > Galium latifolium Michx. var. hispidum Small – F, G; > Galium latifolium Michx. var. latifolium – F, G
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
© Radford, Ahles and Bell | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Slender, erect to ascending perennial of moist hardwood forests.
Stems: Stems wiry, simple or branched, smooth or with hairs at nodes.
Leaves: Leaves in whorls of 4, sessile, lance-shaped, 1-2 in. long, with 3 prominent veins, hairy on midrib and margins.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in many-flowered, branching clusters from upper leaf axils; purple to maroon; less than 1/4 in. wide; consisting of 4 spreading, oblong-lance petals.
Fruits: Fruit a smooth (no bristles) capsule composed of 2 round lobes, only 1 lobe of which typically produces a seed.
Comments:
Height: 10-22 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Slender, erect to ascending perennial of moist hardwood forests.
stems: Stems wiry, simple or branched, smooth or with hairs at nodes.
leaves: Leaves in whorls of 4, sessile, lance-shaped, 1-2 in. long, with 3 prominent veins, hairy on midrib and margins.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in many-flowered, branching clusters from upper leaf axils; purple to maroon; less than 1/4 in. wide; consisting of 4 spreading, oblong-lance petals.
fruits: Fruit a smooth (no bristles) capsule composed of 2 round lobes, only 1 lobe of which typically produces a seed.
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