Flower ID: IMG_7371.JPG-07-11-2023 Flower name (scientific): Galium trifidum Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) GAL-ee-um trifidus TRY-fee-dum (or TRIF-i-dum) Flower name (common): Three-petal 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: Latin meaning divided into three, refers to the mostly three-petaled flowers. 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. For this species the flowers are mostly three-petaled. For reference, most of the Galium species have four-petaled flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.05 to 0.08 inches (1.3 to 2.0 mm) Petal count: 3 (4 very uncommon) Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 4 to 20 inches (10 to 51 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is whorl, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 2 cm long and about 3 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, narrowly elliptic or narrowly elliptic-oblanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Lake and river edges, moist to wet, sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The other Galium species in Wisconsin that has mostly 3-petal flowers is Galium tinctorium. To distinguish the two species, Galium trifidum has leaves usually exclusively in whorls of 4, whereas Galium tinctorium has leaves in whorls of 4 and in whorls of 5 and 6. The other Galium species have flowers with 4 petals. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe prepared a tea from this plant and used it for treating skin issues (Smith, p. 387, 1932). Latitude: 44.799958 Longitude: -91.506943 Altitude: 218.90 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Oconto, Oneida, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Galium trifidum subsp. trifidum (The other infraspecifics are Galium trifidum subsp. brevipes (Fernald & Wiegand) Á. Löve & D. Löve, Galium trifidum subsp. columbianum (Rydberg) Hultén, Galium trifidum subsp. halophilum (Fernald & Wiegand) Puff, Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum (Wiegand) Puff. All four of these subspecies occur in North America.)