Pink woodruff (Asperula taurina, Sp. Pl.: 103 (1753))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 103 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Asperula

Vegetable: False

Observations: SC. Europe to N. Iran

Description

Pink woodruff, scientifically known as Asperula taurina, is a captivating herbaceous plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” this species has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries.

Native to a diverse range from Southern Central Europe to Northern Iran, pink woodruff thrives in forested and mountainous areas where it adorns the landscape with its delicate beauty. This perennial plant is known for its whorls of slender, bright green leaves that create a lush, carpet-like ground cover, providing a delightful visual contrast to the typically muted forest floor.

One of the most striking features of pink woodruff is its charming pink flowers, which bloom in clusters atop the plant’s stems. These star-shaped blossoms not only add a touch of color to shaded woodland settings but also attract various pollinators, contributing to the biodiversity of its habitat.

Beyond its allure, Asperula taurina holds a place in the family Rubiaceae, a large family that includes better-known relatives such as coffee (genus Coffea) and gardenia (genus Gardenia). This connection situates the pink woodruff within a broader botanical context, showcasing the diversity and ecological significance of the Rubiaceae family.

In cultivation, pink woodruff is appreciated for its ability to thrive in shaded, woodland gardens where it can form beautiful, spreading mats under trees and shrubs. Its low maintenance requirements and enduring appeal make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of wild elegance to their green spaces.

Discovering pink woodruff in its natural habitat or a well-tended garden offers a glimpse into the botanical richness of Southern Central Europe to Northern Iran, serving as a reminder of the intricate beauty woven into our planet’s flora.

Common Names

Dan: kaukasisk mysike
Eng: pink woodruff
Deu: turiner meier, turiner meister
Swe: skärmåra
Cym: briwydden binc, mandon rosliw
En: Pink Woodruff
Hy: Գետնաստղ կովկասյան
Bg: Милосърдниче
Da: Kaukasisk mysike
Nl: Taurisch Bedstro
Fr: Aspérule de Turin, Grande Croisette
De: Turin-Meier, Turiner Meier, Turiner Meister, Italienischer Meier, Taurinisches-Meierkraut, Turiner Waldmeister
Hu: Olasz müge
It: Stellina cruciata
Sv: Skärmåra
Cy: Mandon rosliw, Briwydden Binc
: Pink woodruff

Synonyms

• Galium taurinum ((L.) Scop.)
• Asperula trinervia (Lam.)
• Asperula nemoralis (Salisb.)
• Asperula caucasica (Pobed.)
• Asperula taurina subsp. leucanthera ((Beck) Hayek)
• Asperula taurina subsp. caucasica ((Pobed.) Ehrend.)
• Blepharostemma taurinum ((L.) Fourr.)
• Asperula propinqua (Pobed.)
• Asperula rubioides (Schur)
• Asperula taurina f. leucanthera (Beck)
• Asperula taurina var. longifolia (Rouy)
• Asperula taurina var. intermedia (Rouy)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1995 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 9, 2021 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1995 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Aurelio Cabri Aurelio Cabri (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Aurelio Cabri Aurelio Cabri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 9, 2021 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Gianmario Nava (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 11, 2019 by Tuccio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

Taken Jun 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 6, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2916975)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:744199-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asperula taurina L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6