Slender bedstraw (Galium pumilum, Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 44 (1770))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: Murray

Bibliography: Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 44 (1770)

Year: 1770

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Galium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe

Description

Slender bedstraw, scientifically known as Galium pumilum, is a delicate flowering plant that is part of the Rubiaceae family. This species was first described by the botanist Murray in the year 1770, as documented in “Prodr. Stirp. Gott.: 44.” The species can be predominantly found across various parts of Europe, thriving in different environments within this continent.

The plant is distinguished by its slender and fine stems, which often give it a fragile appearance. The leaves of slender bedstraw are typically arranged in whorls around the stem, a characteristic feature recognizable in many members of the Galium genus. The leaves are narrow, reflecting the ‘slender’ aspect of the plant’s common name.

During its bloom period, Galium pumilum produces small, inconspicuous flowers, which are usually white or pale in color. These flowers cluster together, adding to the overall delicate look of the plant. While minute, the flowers are an essential aspect of the plant’s reproductive cycle and contribute to the wider ecosystem by supporting pollinators.

Slender bedstraw is found in various habitats, from meadows and grasslands to unmanaged areas. Its adaptability to different soil types and environmental conditions has allowed it to become well-established across Europe.

This plant, although not particularly prominent in horticultural circles, plays a role in the natural tapestry of European flora. Its presence is an indicator of the environmental health of the regions it inhabits, and its interactions within ecosystems, particularly with insects, are crucial for maintaining biodiversity.

Common Names

Deu: heide-labkraut, zierliches labkraut
Dan: park-snerre
Fra: gaillet rude
Nld: kalkwalstro
Eng: slender bedstraw
Swe: parkmåra, skogsmåra
Cym: briwydd fain y sialc, briwydden feindwf
En: Slender bedstraw
Ca: Espunyidella prima
Cs: Svízel nízký
Da: Park-Snerre
Nl: Kalkwalstro
Et: Arumadar
Fi: Puistomatara
Fr: Gaillet rude, Gaillet en ombelle, Gaillet nain
De: Heide-Labkraut, Triften-Labkraut, Zierliches Labkraut, Niederes-Labkraut, Niedriges Labkraut
It: Caglio minore
Pl: Przytulia szorstkoowockowa
Sv: Parkmåra, Skogsmåra
Cy: Briwydd fain y sialc, Briwydden Feindwf

Synonyms

• Galium sylvestre subsp. supinum ((Lam.) Gaudin)
• Galium sylvestre var. bocconei (Nyman)
• Galium multicaule (Wallr.)
• Galium argenteum (Vill.)
• Galium sylvestre (Pollich)
• Galium sylvestre var. laeve (Coss. & Germ.)
• Galium sylvestre subsp. commutatum ((Jord.) Nyman)
• Galium bocconei var. nitidulum ((Thuill.) Duby)
• Galium pumilum subsp. caespitosum ((Ramond) Rouy)
• Galium pumilum var. hirsutum (Roth)
• Galium pumilum var. glabrum (Roth)
• Galium commune subsp. umbellatum ((Lam.) Rouy)
• Galium commune subsp. argenteum ((Vill.) Rouy)
• Galium umbellatum subvar. laeve ((Thuill.) Rouy)
• Galium commune var. scabrifolium ((Rchb.) Rouy)
• Galium jussiaei (Lapeyr.)
• Galium opacum (Schur)
• Galium commune var. thuillieri (Rouy)
• Galium sylvestre var. silvivagum ((Baill. & Timb.-Lagr.) Nyman)
• Galium pumilum var. caespitosum ((Ramond) Req. ex DC.)
• Galium sylvestre var. nitidulum ((Thuill.) Crép.)
• Galium commune subvar. rubriflorum ((Gillot) Rouy)
• Galium pumilum subsp. asperum ((Schreb.) Dostál)
• Galium sylvestre var. argenteum ((Vill.) Nyman)
• Galium hirtellum ((Gaudin) Dalla Torre & Sarnth.)
• Galium umbellatum var. scabrifolium ((Rchb.) Rouy)
• Galium sylvestre var. pubescens (Schrad.)
• Galium caespitosum (Ramond)
• Galium sylvestre var. pumilum (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Galium umbellatum subvar. nitidulum ((Thuill.) Rouy)
• Galium sylvestre var. supinum ((Lam.) Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
• Galium tenue subsp. jussiaei ((Lapeyr.) Nyman)
• Galium umbellatum subvar. rubriflorum ((Gillot) Rouy)
• Galium commutatum (Jord.)
• Galium pusillum subsp. argenteum ((Vill.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Galium laeve (Thuill.)
• Galium chlorophyllum (Baill. & Timb.-Lagr.)
• Galium sylvestre var. rubriflorum (Gillot)
• Galium commune subvar. laeve ((Thuill.) Rouy)
• Galium commune subvar. nitidulum ((Thuill.) Rouy)
• Galium sylvestre var. asperum ((Schreb.) Bolzon)
• Galium scabrum subsp. nitidulum ((Thuill.) Oborny)
• Galium pumilum var. laxius (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
• Galium pusillum var. sylvestre (Wahlenb.)
• Galium hoffmannii (Steud.)
• Galium asperum subsp. argenteum ((Vill.) P.Fourn.)
• Galium umbellatum (Lam.)
• Galium sylvestre f. hirtum ((Mert. & W.D.J.Koch) Prahl)
• Galium silvivagum (Baill. & Timb.-Lagr.)
• Galium supinum var. pubescens (Tinant)
• Galium erectum var. scabridum (DC.)
• Galium commune subvar. asperum ((Schreb.) Rouy)
• Galium umbellatum subvar. asperum ((Schreb.) Rouy)
• Galium vestianum (Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Galium umbellatum subvar. glabrum ((Schreb.) Rouy)
• Galium umbellatum var. chlorophyllum ((Baill. & Timb.-Lagr.) Rouy)
• Galium nitidulum (Thuill.)
• Galium obscurum (Schur)
• Galium commune var. vulgare (Rouy)
• Galium bicolor (Schleich.)
• Galium supinum (Lam.)
• Galium sylvestre subsp. nitidulum ((Thuill.) Berher)
• Galium sylvestre var. hispidum (Rchb.)
• Galium podlachicum (Besser)
• Galium decipiens var. scabrum (Roth)
• Galium sylvestre var. hirtum (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
• Galium lucidum var. scabrum ((Roth) Rchb.)
• Galium sylvestre var. scabrum ((Roth) Nyman)
• Galium sylvestre var. chlorophyllum ((Baill. & Timb.-Lagr.) Nyman)
• Galium sylvestre var. hirtellum (Gaudin)
• Galium commune subvar. glabrum ((Schreb.) Rouy)
• Galium sylvestre var. scabrifolium (Rchb.)
• Galium sylvestre var. vulgare (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Galium commune var. chlorophyllum ((Baill. & Timb.-Lagr.) Rouy)
• Galium pumilum var. pubescens ((Schrad.) Schinz & Thell.)
• Galium tenue var. jussiaei ((Lapeyr.) Gren.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Finland (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Marcello Di Manno (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 12, 2020 by Martin Sirven (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2020 by Vanessa Gérard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by Albert Chevallier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by kokoss kokoss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 8, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 1996 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

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

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 14, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

© 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/9121716)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:750495-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Galium pumilum Murray)

Specifications

Growth