PlantWatch

Bedstraw, Northern (Galium boreale)

Photo by Derek Johnson

French name: gaillet boréal
Bloom time: June
Report for: AB

General: The northern bedstraw plant stands 20–60 cm tall, and has smooth, square stems.

Leaves & Twigs: The leaves are arranged in groups of four, with each group encircling the stem. The leaves are narrow, typically 5 cm long, with three strong veins.

Flowers & Fruit: The fragrant white flowers of the northern bedstraw are approximately 3 mm wide.
The pattern of four petals on this flower are shaped like tiny crosses.

Habitat: These plants can be found in forests, along roadsides and in moist prairie environments.

Sampling: Select a typical patch of plants, if the plants are very abundant, mark off a l-metre-square section to observe.

To Observe:

• First bloom: when the first flowers are open in the observed plants.
• Mid bloom: when 50% of the flowers are open in the observed plants.