Flower ID: IMG_0757.JPG-06-15-2017 Flower name (scientific): Galium asprellum André Michaux PY: 1803. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) GAL-ee-um as-PREL-lum Flower name (common): Rough Bedstraw Family name (common): Bedstraw Family name (scientific): Rubiaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek word gala for milk. Dioscorides' name, referencing the use of yellow bedstraw Galiumverum to curdle milk for cheese making. Specific epithet: Slightly rough; with reference to the leaf and stem roughness. Common name origin: Bedstraw refers to the straw, when covered by a sheet, formed the bedding in an ordinary bed. The term bedstraw applies to a number of Galium species, and references the use of the legendary name of Our Lady's Bedstraw to designate Galium verum. Flower description: Size: 0.13 inches (3.3 mm) wide. Petal count: 4 Color: White Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 24 to 72 inches (61 to 183 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is whorl, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 2 cm long and about 6 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, elliptical to lance-like (FWI) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Limited observation in Putnam Park. Bloom time (typical): May to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, thickets, meadows, part shade or sun, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Several Galium species in the region are similar. To help ID, we can put the Galium species in the following groups: 1.G. verum 4 yellow petals; 2.G. circaezans 4 pale yellowish-green petals; 3.G. tinctorium and G. trifidum 3 white petals. 4. The following have 4 white petals and leaves in whorls: G. aparine leaves in whorls of 6 to 8; G. asprellum leaves commonly in whorls of 6 (also 4 or 5); G. boreale leaves in whorls of 4; G. concinnum leaves commonly in whorls of 6 (also 4); G. labradoricum leaves in whorls of 4; G. lanceolatum (petals turn purple with age) leaves in whorls of 4; G. mollugo leaves in whorls of 6 or 8; G. obtusum leaves commonly in whorls of 4 or 5 (also 6); G. palustre leaves in whorls to 2 to 6; G. triflorum leaves in whorls of 6. Other characteristics such as leaf shape, flower size, etc., can separate members of the groups. Ethnobotany: No recoreded uses by tribes in Wisconsin. The Choctax used the plant to prepare a diuretic (Moerman, p. 242, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na