Seasonal Wild Flowers

Common Marsh-bedstraw

Galium palustre

Rubiaceae

June to July

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Common Marsh-

It grows in marshes and wet meadows, and at pond

margins.

Common Marsh-bedstraw is a native, perennial herb,

growing up to 40cm.

Flowers are up to 3mm across, creamy-white inside

and pink on the outside.

There are 4 petals, 4 stamens and 2 styles.

Fruits are slightly wrinkled.

Leaves are linear and blunt to pointed, up to 1cm,

with 4-6 per whorl.

Margins are rough with prickles.

Stems are slender, glabrous and 4-angled.

Common Marsh-bedstraw in a

wet meadow, Dorset

Flowerheads

4 petals, 4 stamens, 2 styles

Pink buds and white petals

Clambering habit of leaves and stems

Leaves with prickles

4-angled stems