The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: sweet-scented bedstraw, fragrant bedstraw

Family: Rubiaceae (madder family)

Distribution: North America, Europe and temperate Asia

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Sweet-scented bedstraw is not as clingy as its relative, cleavers (Galium aparine). The two species look very similar, but sweet-scented bedstraw is not as bristly or hairy on its stems and leaves. Its leaves are also whorled, but usually there are six in a whorl as opposed to eight on cleavers. Both species tend to grow in the same habitats, as well, though cleavers is more likely to replace sweet-scented bedstraw in the landscape following a disturbance. One to three flower stalks often develop in the upper three whorls, which then produce one to three small white flowers. The flowers bloom during the summer, followed by a bristly seed pod containing a single seed. Small flies and bees are common pollinators of this plant; animals aid in seed dispersal as the seed pods easily cling to fur or feathers. The dried foliage has a vanilla scent, hence the common name.