White bedstraw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White bedstraw |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Galium
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| Species: |
album
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Galium album, also known as white bedstraw or hedge bedstraw, is a common plant. It is a type of herbaceous plant, which means it has soft stems instead of woody ones. This plant belongs to the Rubiaceae family.
Contents
What Does White Bedstraw Look Like?
The stems of the white bedstraw can grow quite tall. They often reach at least 150 centimeters (about 5 feet) high. These stems usually stand upright. They also have branches that grow upwards.
The stem has a square shape. It has slight edges, almost like small wings. This plant does not have much hair on its leaves or stem. Both the leaves and the stem often look shiny.
The flowers of the white bedstraw are small. They are usually white or sometimes a little yellowish. After the flowers, the plant produces fruit. These fruits are smooth and do not have any hairs.
Where Does White Bedstraw Grow?
White bedstraw is found in many places. It grows naturally across a large part of Europe. You can find it from Great Britain all the way to Morocco in the west. It also grows east into Turkey and Western Siberia.
This plant has also spread to new areas. It now grows in Ireland, Scandinavia, Greenland, and South Australia. White bedstraw likes to grow in grassy areas. You can often see it in pastures or on grassy banks. It especially likes dry soils that contain a lot of chalk or lime.
In Britain, white bedstraw is common in lowland England. It is less common in the northern parts of England. It is very rare to find it in Scotland.
Different Types of White Bedstraw
Scientists have found a few different types of white bedstraw. These are called subspecies. As of May 2014, four main subspecies are known:
- Galium album subsp. album - This is the most common type. It grows in most places where white bedstraw is found.
- Galium album subsp. prusense - This type grows in places like Greece, Bulgaria, Crimea, Turkey, and the Caucasus region.
- Galium album subsp. pycnotrichum - You can find this subspecies from Poland south to Greece and Turkey.
- Galium album subsp. suberectum - This type grows in the Carpathian Mountains. These mountains are located in western Ukraine.
See also
In Spanish: Galio blanco para niños
