Bedstraws

Bedstraw grows in woods, clearings, along shorelines, in open sites and in bogs.

These plants are found in the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere and throughout Québec.

There are three main native or naturalized bedstraw species in Québec:

Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale): this species is well suited to its environment and boreal conditions, effectively resisting cold weather and short seasons. In addition, this is a plant that adopts well to poor soil.

Sweet-scented bedstraw (Galium triflorum): an undergrowth species indicative of forest maturity and forest soil richness. The fruit on this plant has hooks. When dried, the species gives off a pleasant aroma (similar to sweet-smelling hay), which sometimes earns it the nickname “fragrant bedstraw.”

Cleavers (Galium aparine): This species is regarded as a pioneer and grows in open, disturbed environments. The stems and leaves have hooks on them, which latch on to fur and clothing to facilitate seed dissemination. According to certain sources, cleavers is a cosmopolitan species introduced at some point that has since become naturalized on Québec territory.