Fragrant Bedstraw
Other Names: Sweet-Scented Bedstraw, Cudweed
Family: Rubiaceae
Native to: Eastern North America, Interior North America, Western North America, Asia, Europe
Hardy to zone: 4
Eco benefits: medicinal, edible parts
Natural habitat: understory, inner forests
Shapes: multi-stemmed, prostrate
Height: 1-2ft
Unique attractions: leaves
Common uses: naturalized plantings, shade garden, ground cover
Light: partial shade, full shade
Soil: moist and fertile, well drained, ph adaptable, acid ph
Fragrant bedstraw is native to northern boreal forest regions around the world, and south to central America. Commonly found on moist forest floors, spreading by underground stolons. It can be Identified by square stems with whorled leaves. Small white flowers of three give way to seeds which are round and fuzzy. The dried herb has a fragrant vanilla scent similar to sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum). The plant also resembles rough bedstraw (Galium asprellum) in appearance.
