Flower ID: IMG_2201.JPG-07-10-2019 Flower name (scientific): Galium concinnum Torrey & A. Gray PY: 1841. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) GAL-ee-um KON-kin-um (or kon-SIN-um) Flower name (common): Shining Bedstraw Family name (common): Madder 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: From the Latin meaning elegant, symmetrical, well-proportioned. 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: 0.05 to 0.1 inches (1.3 to 2.5 mm) Petal count: 4 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 5 to 24 inches (13. to 61. cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is whorl, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 2 cm long and up to 3 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, linear-elliptic (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Forests, mesic woodlands, shade or part shade, dry to moist. 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: The Meskwaki boiled the plant to prepare a tea that was used as a remedy for bladder issues, kidney problems, and ague (Smith, p. 244, 1928). Latitude: 44.800018 Longitude: -91.481640 Altitude: 232.20 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Florence, Forest, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, UT, VA, WI, WV) In Canada: (ON) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na