| Galium | |
|---|---|
| Flowers of Galium aparine | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rubioideae |
| Tribe: | Rubieae |
| Genus: | Galium L. |
| Species | |
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About 600; see text |
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Galium is a large genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the family Rubiaceae, with 617 known species[1] occurring in the temperate zones of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Most species are known as bedstraw. G. aparine is widespread through Ireland and commonly known as "Robin run the hedge".
The Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis) is a close relative and may be confused with a tiny bedstraw. Asperula is also a closely related genus; some species of Galium (such as woodruff) are occasionally placed therein.
Bedstraws are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species. See list of Lepidoptera that feed on Galium.
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Galium, or Ladies' straw, was used as a red dye during Anglo-Saxon times in England. (see Anglo-Saxon Crafts by Kevin Leahy, p75-76)
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