Smooth bedstraw (Cruciata laevipes, Seznam: 34 (1852))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: Opiz

Bibliography: Seznam: 34 (1852)

Year: 1852

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cruciata

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran, W. Himalaya

Description

Smooth bedstraw, known scientifically as Cruciata laevipes, belongs to the Rubiaceae family. This herbaceous perennial is notable for its ground-covering ability and is native to a vast region extending from Europe to Iran and the western Himalayas.

The plant enjoys a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and grasslands, where it often forms dense mats. Smooth bedstraw is characterized by its square stems, small yellow flowers, and whorls of leaves that are smooth to the touch, a notable feature that distinguishes it from other members of the Rubiaceae family.

Typically blooming in the spring, Cruciata laevipes contributes to the ecological tapestry by providing nectar for various pollinators. Its flowers, though modest in size, play a critical role in local ecosystems, attracting bees and other insects.

Smooth bedstraw has been recorded in botanical literature as far back as 1852, indicating its long-standing recognition and study within the scientific community. Authored by Opiz, this inclusion in the Seznam illustrates its established presence in European flora.

Cultivating smooth bedstraw requires minimal maintenance, making it an attractive option for gardeners interested in native plants and biodiversity. Its ability to thrive in various soil types and under different light conditions further enhances its versatility in garden design.

In summary, Cruciata laevipes is a resilient and ecologically significant plant with a wide geographic distribution. It offers aesthetic and environmental benefits, cementing its status as a valued species within the Rubiaceae family.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig korsblad, håret korsblad, korsblad
Deu: gewöhnliches kreuzlabkraut
Eng: smooth bedstraw, crosswort, maywort
Fra: gaillet croisette
Nld: kruisbladwalstro
Lav: skropstain
Swe: korsmåra
Cym: briwydd groes, briwydden groes, croeslys, croesoglys felen, llysiau’r groes
En: Smooth bedstraw, Crosswort, Luc na croise, Maywort, Golden Muguet
Be: Маруна крыжападобная
Bg: Гергевка
Ca: Creuera
Cs: Svízelka chlupatá
Da: Almindelig korsblad, Håret korsblad, Korsblad
Nl: Galium cruciata, Kruisbladwalstro
Et: Karvane ristmadar
Fi: Karvaristimatara
Fr: Gaillet croisette, Galium cruciata, Croisette commune, Croisette velue, Croisée, Croix de saint André, Herbe à miel, Valance
De: Gewimpertes Kreuzlabkraut, Gemeines Kreuzlabkraut, Gewöhnliches Kreuzlabkraut
Ga: Lus na croise
It: Crocettona comune, Cruciata
Lv: Skropstainā krustmadara, Skropstain
Gv: Bossan tessen
Pl: Galium cruciata, Przytulia krzyżowa, Przytulinka krzyżowa
Pt: Crucianela
Sr: Крстасти броћ
Sk: Krížavka chlpatá
Es: Cruceta, Creuera groga, Cruciada, Cruxia de heridas, Cruz de San Andrés, Cruzada, Cruzadilla, Hierba de miel, Crucadilla
Sv: Korsmåra
Tr: Haç otu
Cy: Llysiau‘r groes, Briwydd Groes, Briwydden Groes, Croeslys, Croesoglys Felen, Llysiau’r Groes

Synonyms

• Galium ciliatum f. laevicaulis (Rohlena)
• Galium luteocruciatum (St.-Lag.)
• Galium cruciata var. laxa (Velen.)
• Valantia hirsuta (Gilib.)
• Galium cruciata var. hirsutissimum (F.Gérard ex Rouy)
• Galium ciliatum var. nana (Dalla Torre & Sarnth.)
• Galium cruciata ((L.) Scop.)
• Rubia cruciata ((L.) Baill.)
• Galium glabrifolium (Rochel)
• Cruciata ciliata f. mucronata ((Peterm.) Soó)
• Cruciata ciliata f. laxa ((Velen.) Soó)
• Galium cruciata var. varians (Merino)
• Valantia ciliata (Opiz ex J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Cruciata ciliata var. nana ((Dalla Torre & Sarnth.) Soó)
• Cruciata ciliata f. glabrifolia ((Rochel) Soó)
• Aparine latifolia (Moench)
• Cruciata ciliata f. laevicaulis ((Rohlena) Soó)
• Cruciata ciliata f. hirsutissima ((F.Gérard ex Rouy) Soó)
• Galium cruciata var. laevipes ((Opiz) W.D.J.Koch)
• Cruciata laevipes var. brutia ((N.Terracc.) Greuter)
• Galium cruciata var. brutium (N.Terracc.)
• Valantia crucialis (Bubani)
• Valantia cruciata (L.)
• Galium cruciata var. mucronata (Peterm.)
• Cruciata hirsuta (Fourr.)
• Galium chersonense var. hispanicum (Debeaux)
• Cruciata ciliata (Opiz)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Colombia (introduced)
• New York (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

Bark

Taken Apr 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pauline GUILLAUMEAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pauline GUILLAUMEAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Davide Di Censo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Frédéric Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Simone Schindler (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2020 by Gina Thomaßen (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2019 by Aurore Thourault (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 27, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Marc Chouillou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Paul HUGBART (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Davide Di Censo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2018 by Philippe Levarlet (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

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

Taken Nov 21, 2020 by K. O. Dudas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2021 by Emmanuel Cervelle (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Shaun Hollern (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5338920)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:747959-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cruciata laevipes Opiz)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 7