Slender bedstraw
Galium pumilum
Synonyms: Galium sylvestre subsp. supinum, Galium sylvestre var. bocconei, Galium multicaule, Galium argenteum, Galium sylvestre, Galium sylvestre var. laeve, Galium sylvestre subsp. commutatum, Galium bocconei var. nitidulum, Galium pumilum subsp. caespitosum, Galium pumilum var. hirsutum, Galium pumilum var. glabrum, Galium commune subsp. umbellatum, Galium commune subsp. argenteum, Galium umbellatum subvar. laeve, Galium commune var. scabrifolium, Galium jussiaei, Galium opacum, Galium commune var. thuillieri, Galium sylvestre var. silvivagum, Galium pumilum var. caespitosum, Galium sylvestre var. nitidulum, Galium commune subvar. rubriflorum, Galium pumilum subsp. asperum, Galium sylvestre var. argenteum, Galium hirtellum, Galium umbellatum var. scabrifolium, Galium sylvestre var. pubescens, Galium caespitosum, Galium sylvestre var. pumilum, Galium umbellatum subvar. nitidulum, Galium sylvestre var. supinum, Galium tenue subsp. jussiaei, Galium umbellatum subvar. rubriflorum, Galium commutatum, Galium pusillum subsp. argenteum, Galium laeve, Galium chlorophyllum, Galium sylvestre var. rubriflorum, Galium commune subvar. laeve, Galium commune subvar. nitidulum, Galium sylvestre var. asperum, Galium scabrum subsp. nitidulum, Galium pumilum var. laxius, Galium pusillum var. sylvestre, Galium hoffmannii, Galium asperum subsp. argenteum, Galium umbellatum, Galium sylvestre f. hirtum, Galium silvivagum, Galium supinum var. pubescens, Galium erectum var. scabridum, Galium commune subvar. asperum, Galium umbellatum subvar. asperum, Galium vestianum, Galium umbellatum subvar. glabrum, Galium umbellatum var. chlorophyllum, Galium nitidulum, Galium obscurum, Galium commune var. vulgare, Galium bicolor, Galium supinum, Galium sylvestre subsp. nitidulum, Galium sylvestre var. hispidum, Galium podlachicum, Galium decipiens var. scabrum, Galium sylvestre var. hirtum, Galium lucidum var. scabrum, Galium sylvestre var. scabrum, Galium sylvestre var. chlorophyllum, Galium sylvestre var. hirtellum, Galium commune subvar. glabrum, Galium sylvestre var. scabrifolium, Galium sylvestre var. vulgare, Galium commune var. chlorophyllum, Galium pumilum var. pubescens, Galium tenue var. jussiaei
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Botanical Description
Galium pumilum, the slender bedstraw or small bedstraw, is a small wiry perennial in the family Rubiaceae. Like other bedstraws it produces slender, four-angled stems that scramble or trail among neighbouring vegetation and bear whorls of six to eight narrow, linear-lanceolate leaves at each node, with a single midrib and a small apical point. The diffuse terminal cymes are composed of numerous tiny four-lobed white flowers about 2–3 mm across, blooming in summer, followed by small dry mericarps with a finely roughened surface. The species is native to much of Europe, occurring on dry to mesic calcareous grasslands, rocky banks, open woodland edges and stable scree, generally on lime-rich soils. It belongs to a taxonomically difficult aggregate of closely related microspecies separated chiefly by leaf and fruit detail. No significant medicinal, culinary, dye or fibre use is documented for the species in mainstream sources.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.