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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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image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© John Gwaltney | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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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