Family: bedstraws (Rubiaceae)
Flowering time: June–September
Size: 20–70 cm
Habitat: dry meadows, bright forests, along paths and roads
True bedstraw (Galium verum) is a herbaceous perennial that usually sends up several stems from its underground part. Short-haired stems are leafy with narrow linear-lanceolate leaves up to 1 mm wide with a rolled edge. They terminate in a spiny tip and are arranged in whorls; in each there are 6 to 12. At the top of the stem numerous honey-yellow flowers with a honey scent form inflorescences. The lateral branches of the inflorescence are longer than the stem segments (the part of the stem between two nodes or leaf whorls).
True bedstraw grows best on poor soils in moderately sunny locations. It is a common plant, found in suitable habitats throughout Slovenia.
True bedstraw has long been used as a sedative; as a coagulant and dye in cheese making; due to its content of coumarin, which also acts as a poison for fleas, it has also been used as pillow filling.
