Galium circaezans Michaux. Common name: Forest Bedstraw, Licorice Bedstraw. Phenology: Apr-Jul. Habitat: Mesic to dry forests. Distribution: QC west to MN and NE, south to FL and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Two varieties are sometimes distinguished and need additional study (see synonymy). Var. circaezans, more southern, has lower leaf surface glabrous or sparsely short-hispid on the veins, and larger leaves 1.5-2.5 (-4.0) cm long and 0.7-1.4 (-1.8) cm wide. Var. hypomalacum Fernald, more northern, has lower leaf surface appressed-pilose, long-hirsute on the veins, and larger leaves 2-5 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Fl5, K4, Mi, Mo3, NcTx, NY, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3; > Galium circaezans Michx. var. circaezans — C, F, G, GrPl, Il, NE, Pa, Tx, WV; > Galium circaezans Michx. var. hypomalacum Fernald — C, F, G, GrPl, Il, NE, Pa, Tx, WV. Basionym: Galium circaezans Michx. 1803
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Wiry, upright to ascending perennial of moist to dry forests.
Stems: Stems 4-angled, sometimes branched at the base, light green, sparsely hairy on angles.
Leaves: Leaves in whorls of 4, sessile, oval to lance-oval, to 2 in. long, with 3 prominent veins, sparsely hairy above and beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a branched terminal cluster and sometimes also in smaller branched clusters from leaf axils; yellow-green to greenish-purple; less than ¼ in. wide; consisting of 4 spreading, pointed petals.
Fruits: Fruit a black or dark brown seed capsule composed of 2 round lobes covered with curved bristles and containing 1 seed per lobe.
Comments:
Height: 6-22 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Wiry, upright to ascending perennial of moist to dry forests.
stems: Stems 4-angled, sometimes branched at the base, light green, sparsely hairy on angles.
leaves: Leaves in whorls of 4, sessile, oval to lance-oval, to 2 in. long, with 3 prominent veins, sparsely hairy above and beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a branched terminal cluster and sometimes also in smaller branched clusters from leaf axils; yellow-green to greenish-purple; less than ¼ in. wide; consisting of 4 spreading, pointed petals.
fruits: Fruit a black or dark brown seed capsule composed of 2 round lobes covered with curved bristles and containing 1 seed per lobe.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern North America
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