{"id":36782,"date":"2022-02-08T16:54:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T16:54:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/?p=36782"},"modified":"2022-02-08T16:54:30","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T16:54:30","slug":"hedge-bedstraw-galium-mollugo-identification-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/2022\/02\/08\/hedge-bedstraw-galium-mollugo-identification-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Hedge Bedstraw (Galium mollugo) Identification Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Hedge Bedstraw \/ Spring \/ Summer \/ Edible<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-36782 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/2022\/02\/08\/hedge-bedstraw-galium-mollugo-identification-guide\/hedge-bedstraw-growing-in-a-hedgerow\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-growing-in-a-hedgerow-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-36789\" srcset=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-growing-in-a-hedgerow-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-growing-in-a-hedgerow-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-growing-in-a-hedgerow.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-36789'>\n\t\t\t\tA. M. Liosi, CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/2022\/02\/08\/hedge-bedstraw-galium-mollugo-identification-guide\/hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-36785\" srcset=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-36785'>\n\t\t\t\tAnRo0002, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/2022\/02\/08\/hedge-bedstraw-galium-mollugo-identification-guide\/hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-36786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-36786'>\n\t\t\t\tAnRo0002, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/2022\/02\/08\/hedge-bedstraw-galium-mollugo-identification-guide\/hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer-300x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-36787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer-450x450.jpg 450w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-flowers-in-summer.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-36787'>\n\t\t\t\tHectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>Hedge Bedstraw is a fairly common, hedgerow plant, it\u2019s related to cleavers and coffee.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Common Names<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Hedge bedstraw, False baby&#8217;s breath,<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Botanical Name<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Galium mollugo<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Scientific Classification<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Kingdom<\/strong> \u2013 Plantae<\/p>\n<p><strong>Order<\/strong> \u2013 Gentianales<\/p>\n<p><strong>Family<\/strong> \u2013 Rubiaceae<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Physical Characteristics for Hedge Bedstraw <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Stems<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The hairless stems have a square cross section. The stems can reach 1.5 metres in length.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Leaves<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The small leaves are elliptical with a sharp point and they grow in whorls of 6-8 around the stem.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36785\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36785\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-36785\" src=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-close-up-of-the-leaves.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36785\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">AnRo0002, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Flowers<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The individual flowers are tiny up to 5mm across, they have 4 whitish petals each with a pointed tip. They normally flower between June and September.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36786\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36786\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-36786\" src=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Hedge-bedstraw-shot-of-the-flowers.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36786\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">AnRo0002, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Habitat<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Hedgerows and fields, they prefer alkaline soils.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Known Hazards<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>None Known<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Could be Confused with&#8230;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>They do look very similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/2020\/04\/29\/identify-cleavers\/\">Cleavers (Galium aparine)<\/a> but Hedge Bedstraw lacks those sticky hairs.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Edible Uses<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The taste is quite mild I use the young tips in salads, they do get bitter the older they are.<\/p>\n<p>The seed can also be roasted and used as a coffee alternative in a similar way of Cleaver seeds.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Notes on Herbal Uses<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Traditionally the fresh juice was used to treat epilepsy. But there\u2019s not much evidence that it is useful.<\/p>\n<p>Infusions made from the leaves are used to treat, thyroid conditions, kidney diseases and prostrate issues.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Extra notes from the Foragers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The name Bedstraw comes from their traditional use as a bedding material, as the plant dries it has a pleasant smell, which would deter insects, some suggest that Hedge Bedstraw was used to line Jesus\u2019 cradle.<\/p>\n<p>You can make a red dye out of the roots of this plant and it&#8217;s believed if you eat enough of the roots it will dye your bones red.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>References:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pfaf.org\/user\/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Galium+mollugo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/pfaf.org\/user\/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Galium+mollugo<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wildlifeinsight.com\/british-bedstraws-rubiaceae\/#:~:text=The%20key%20identification%20characteristics%20of%20Hedge%20Bedstraw%20(Galium%20mullugo)%20are,or%20slightly%20rough%20on%20angles\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.wildlifeinsight.com\/british-bedstraws-rubiaceae\/#:~:text=The%20key%20identification%20characteristics%20of%20Hedge%20Bedstraw%20(Galium%20mullugo)%20are,or%20slightly%20rough%20on%20angles<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Galium_mollugo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Galium_mollugo<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.first-nature.com\/flowers\/galium-mollugo.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.first-nature.com\/flowers\/galium-mollugo.php<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.naturalherbs.ro\/project\/the-hedge-bedstraw\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.naturalherbs.ro\/project\/the-hedge-bedstraw\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hedge Bedstraw \/ Spring \/ Summer \/ Edible Hedge Bedstraw is a fairly common, hedgerow plant, it\u2019s related to cleavers and coffee. Common Names Hedge bedstraw, False baby&#8217;s breath, Botanical Name Galium mollugo Scientific Classification Kingdom \u2013 Plantae Order \u2013 Gentianales Family \u2013 Rubiaceae Physical Characteristics for Hedge Bedstraw Stems&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":36787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[101,86],"tags":[152,1081,1079,511,104,238],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36782"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36782"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36874,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36782\/revisions\/36874"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totallywilduk.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}