The Bedstraw Family
What are they?
This is a worldwide family of plants which includes both woody shrubs (especially in the tropics) and low, herbaceous perennials. Though very variable in overall appearance, many species can be recognized by the classic tubular flower with four, widely spreading and somewhat triangular petals.
Where are they found?
There seems to be a member of this family for every occasion with species variously found in wetlands, woodlands, open fields and as introduced arable and garden weeds.
Identification
Some species - particularly the woodier ones - are straightforward to identify; the bedstraws can be more difficult and attention should be paid to the presence or absence of hairs and marginal teeth on the leaves.
Common Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
A common low to medium bush of swampy wetlands. Flowers July to August. Easily recognized when in flower by the spherical balls of four-petalled, white flowers which are much-loved by many insects, including butterflies.
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Partridgeberry Mitchella repens
A common creeping sub-shrub found in many woodland areas. Flowers May to June. Leaves thick and shiny; this plant is probably most obvious when carrying its bright red berries.
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Tiny Bluets Houstonia pusilla
There are no published records of this southern species in New Jersey but a small colony was found at Cold Spring in 2010 and it has since been found at scattered locations throughout the county. Should be looked for in areas of short turf. Flowers March to May. A tiny plant but often occurs in colonies, when its bright purplish-blue flowers can be quite obvious.
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Clustered Bluets Oldenlandia uniflora
(Clustered Mille Graines) Wet ground on the edges of marshes and woods. A scarce plant in New Jersey, being at the northern edge of its range. Flowers August to September. An unobtrusive species and easily missed, or passed off as another species (see especially chickweeds and Purslane Speedwell).
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Rough Buttonweed Diodia teres
(Poorjoe) Locally common in open, sunny locations, usually in light, sandy soils. Often forms extensive low mats covering large areas. Flowers July to September. A ring of spikey bracts surrounds the base of the flowers and later the developing seed pods.
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leaf nodes |
Virginia Buttonweed Diodia virginiana
Once apparently more common, this species is now rare and occurs here at the very northern edge of its range. A low, spreading plant of damp grassy areas. Flowers June to August. A ring of spikey bracts surrounds the base of the flowers and later the developing seed pods.
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Field Madder Galium sherardia
Introduced from Europe. An uncommon annual of disturbed land, farm fields and gardens. Flowers May to September.
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Cleavers Galium aparine
(Stickywilly, Goosegrass) Introduced from Europe. A common and probably increasing plant which grows in disturbed ground in all kinds of habitats, but especially open woodland, field edges, hedgelines and waste places. Flowers April to June. Well known in its native Europe where school children get great pleasure in that fact that the hooked hairs covering all parts of the plant stick readily to friends' clothing!
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bristly hairs |
hooked bristles |
Wall Bedstraw Galium anglicum
Introduced from Europe. Flowers June to August. An easily-overlooked plant with tiny, pinkish-green flowers. A recent introduction to our area, currently known from grassy roadsides.
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Hairy Bedstraw Galium pilosum
Widespread in a range of habitats from light woodland and field edges to dunes. Usually in dry, sandy soil. Flowers June to August. The hairiest bedstraw, the whole plant covered in a white down. Leaves usually in whorls of four.
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Licorice Bedstraw Galium circaezans
Uncommon in Cape May County, preferring rich sandy soils more typical of the northern part of New Jersey. Usually found in shady areas in woods and hedgerows. Flowers May to July. Flowers tiny, dull yellowish. Leaves in whorls of four.
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Fragrant Bedstraw Galium triflorum
Occasional in dry, shady woodland and hedgerows. More common in the north of New Jersey. Flowers June to August. Leaves in whorls of six.
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Hedge Bedstraw Galium mollugo
(False Baby's-breath) Introduced from Europe. Occasional on roadsides and waste ground. Flowers May to June. Leaves in whorls of six or eight; flowers in many-branched heads.
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Stiff Marsh Bedstraw Galium tinctorium
A not uncommon plant of species-rich wetland communities in reedbeds and riverside vegetation. Flowers May to August. Leaves in whorls of four, but some in whorls of five. Most flowers with three petals, in groups of three on short pedicels (flower stems).
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Blunt-leaved Bedstraw Galium obtusum
A not uncommon plant of species-rich wetland communities in reedbeds and riverside vegetation. Flowers May to August. Leaves in whorls of four, narrower than most other species and with rough, backward pointing teeth on margins and midrib. Flowers usually with four petals, on rather short pedicels (flower stems).
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Piedmont Crosswort Galium pedemontanum
(Piedmont Bedstraw) A relatively recent introduction from Europe which has rapidly spread east from the mid-west. First found in Cape May County in 2011 near Woodbine Airport. Flowers May to July. A small, scrambling plant which is easily overlooked unless growing in quantity. Flowers are creamy yellow and very small.
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Juniperleaf Polypremum procumbens
A widespread tropical to subtropical plant that is native to just south of our area. The discovery of this plant in Cape May County for the first time in 2013 may suggest that it is spreading northward. Flowers June to September. A tiny, low-growing plant that is more closely related to butterfly-bushes and plantains than it is to bedstraws. However, it could easily be mistaken for a bedstraw so is placed here to ease identification.
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