2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Bedstraw (Latin Galium) - a large genus of perennial, biennial and annual plants and dwarf shrubs, belonging to the Marenov family. Includes over 600 species, most of which are actively used in traditional medicine. Some even belong to malicious weeds. Representatives of the genus are ubiquitous. In the people, the plants are called the bison, the submarine, the rotter and the half-grower.
Characteristics of culture
The bedstraw is represented by perennial, biennial and annual herbaceous plants bearing thin, highly branched rhizomes. The stems of the representatives of the genus are rather weak, mostly creeping, although there are some species in which the stem is absolutely straight and very dense. The foliage is often narrow, whorled, green in color, jagged along the edge, no more than 3 cm long and no more than 1 cm wide.
The flowers are inconspicuous, small, star-shaped. The color is white, yellow, pink. The flowers are collected in umbellate or semi-umbellate inflorescences that emanate from the axils of the foliage or are formed at the ends of the stems. The flowers of some species are endowed with a pleasant aroma that spreads over long distances. The fragrant bedstraw possesses such properties, and this is the reason for its name.
Common types
The bloated bedstraw (Latin Galium physocarpum) is represented by perennial herbaceous plants. Has strong erect stems. The flowers are white, small. The fruits, as the name implies, are swollen, but they are devoid of bristles.
The northern bedstraw (Latin Galium boreale) is represented by perennial herbaceous plants equipped with erect stems and white flowers. A distinctive feature is the presence of a hooked bristle on the fruit.
The tenacious bedstraw (lat. Galium aparine) is represented by annual plants up to 1.5 m high. The foliage of the plant is crowned with hooks that are harsh to the touch. The flowers are small, white in color. It is a malicious weed.
Fragrant bedstraw (Latin Galium odoratum) is represented by perennial low-growing plants no more than 35 cm high. This species has white flowers, collected in loose racemose inflorescences. The most fragrant look.
Application of plants
As mentioned above, most members of the genus are medicinal plants. However, some species are also used in cooking, for example, scented bedstraw is added to flavor homemade wine. In Tataria, the bedstraw is used as a leaven, making cheese, kefir and yogurt, because, as you know, plants, or rather their juice, have curdling properties.
Still, the bedstraw is more appreciated in alternative medicine. Plants have a unique composition. They are rich in flavonoids, ascorbic acid, saponins, iridoids. A decoction of the herb is used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system, skin diseases (in particular eczema and psoriasis), and liver diseases. The plant has hemostatic, anti-inflammatory and anti-febrile properties.
Due to the high content of vitamin C, the bedstraw is recommended as an anti-scurvy and anti-cold remedy. The plant is endowed with laxative properties, it is especially useful for those who often experience constipation. Plant powder accelerates the healing process of open wounds and burns.
Recommended:
Boreal Bedstraw
Boreal bedstraw is one of the plants of the family called rotational, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Galium boreale L. S. (G. septentionale Roem. et Schult.). As for the name of the boreal bedstraw family itself, then in Latin it will be like this:
Marsh Bedstraw
Marsh bedstraw is one of the plants of the family called rotational, in Latin the name of this plant will sound like this: Galium palustre L. As for the name of the family of the bedstraw itself, in Latin it will be like this: Menyanthaceae Dumort.
False-streamed Bedstraw
False-streamed bedstraw is one of the plants of the family called rotational, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Galium pseudorivale Tzvel. (Asperuga aparine Bieb.). As for the name of the bedstraw family itself, then in Latin it will be like this:
Fragrant Bedstraw
Fragrant bedstraw is one of the plants of the family called rotational, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. (Asperuga odorata L.). As for the name of the fragrant bedstraw family itself, in Latin it will be like this:
False Bedstraw
False bedstraw is one of the plants of the family called rotational, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Galium spurium L. (G. vaillanti DC.). As for the name of the false bedstraw family itself, then in Latin it will be like this:
