Flower ID: IMG_2602.JPG-07-09-2022 Flower name (scientific): Galium triflorum André Michaux PY: 1803. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) GAL-ee-um try-FLOR-um Flower name (common): Fragrant 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 for three flowere. Refers to the flower clusters usually having three 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. The dried leaves of this species are supposed to have a vanilla scent, and hence the common name. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) Petal count: 4 Color: white or greenish-white Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 6 to 30 inches (15 to 76 cm) Stem hairy: glabrous or sparsely hairy along the angles. Other: Leaf description: attachment is whorl, type is simple. Size: Leaves are up to about 6 cm long and up to 10 to 12 mm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: margins with short stiff hairs, glabrous or sparesely hairy along the underside midvein. Other: Shape: leaf, oblanceolate (IL), narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate (MB) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, forests, thickets, meadows, pond margins, streambanks, moist to dry, shade to semi shade. Fruit: Schizocarps about 2.5 mm wide with surface densely hairy with hooked hairs. The latter aid in seed dispersal. Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Ethnobotany: The Menominee used this plant to prepare a medicine to treat kidney problems (Smith, p. 51, 1923). Latitude: 44.796463 Longitude: -91.513395 Altitude: 279.00 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): na Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lits 18 heterotypic synonyms for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU