Galium boreale, commonly known as Northern Bedstraw, is a perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including moist meadows, grasslands, forest clearings, and along streams in temperate to subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It is particularly prevalent throughout most of Canada and the northern United States. Northern Bedstraw typically grows 8 to 20 inches tall and features whorled leaves, usually in groups of four, which resemble the spokes of a wheel. From late spring to early summer, it produces small, fragrant white flowers in dense, showy panicles that are attractive to pollinators.

Northern Bedstraw is valued for its ability to form extensive colonies through rhizomes, making it useful for soil stabilization and as a ground cover in restoration projects and naturalized areas. It is also appreciated for its historical use in traditional bedding, where its pleasant scent was thought to deter fleas, and for its use in dyes. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade, moist but well-drained soils, and is relatively low maintenance. However, it is listed as endangered in Maryland and Massachusetts, indicating a need for conservation efforts in those areas. While generally not prone to serious pests or diseases, it can become sparse in overly dry conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0