Licorice Bedstraw
(Galium circaezans)
Licorice Bedstraw (Galium circaezans)
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Reuven Martin
Public Domain
Image By:
Reuven Martin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Reuven Martin | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Reuven Martin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-18T12:36:21-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Galium circaezans, commonly known as Licorice Bedstraw, is a deciduous perennial herb or subshrub native to the understory of deciduous forests, often found in rich woods and thickets across the Central and Eastern USA and Ontario. It typically grows to a height of 3 feet (0.9 meters) and a width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). This plant is characterized by its whorled leaves and small, greenish to white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they do attract pollinators. Licorice Bedstraw also produces small, round fruits that may add interest to the plant’s appearance in late summer.
Licorice Bedstraw is valued for its adaptability to shade and its use as a ground cover in woodland gardens and naturalized areas. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring medium amounts of water and tolerating a range of soil drainage conditions from slow to fast. It prefers rich, loamy soils and can be used to stabilize soil in shaded areas. While not aggressive, it can spread to form a dense carpet, which can be beneficial for suppressing weeds. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to rust and other fungal diseases in humid conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Licorice Bedstraw is valued for its adaptability to shade and its use as a ground cover in woodland gardens and naturalized areas. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring medium amounts of water and tolerating a range of soil drainage conditions from slow to fast. It prefers rich, loamy soils and can be used to stabilize soil in shaded areas. While not aggressive, it can spread to form a dense carpet, which can be beneficial for suppressing weeds. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to rust and other fungal diseases in humid conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb, Subshrub
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Drought Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Understory of deciduous forests, rich woods, and thickets
Other Names
Common Names: Forest Bedstraw, Northern Bedstraw, Wild Licorice, Woods Bedstraw
Scientific Names: , Galium circaezans, Galium circaezans var. hypomalacum, Galium circaezans var. circaezans, Galium circaezans var. glabrum, Galium circaeoides, Galium circaezans var. montanum, Galium brachiatum, Galium circaezans var. typicum, Galium circaezans var. glabellum
GBIF Accepted Name: Galium circaezans Michx.