Family: Rubiaceae
Author: M.Bieb.
Bibliography: Fl. Taur.-Caucas. 1: 104 (1808)
Year: 1808
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Galium
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Balkan Pen. to Mongolia
Description
Spreading bedstraw, scientifically known as Galium humifusum, is a member of the Rubiaceae family, a group well-regarded for its diverse and widespread plant species. First documented in the early 19th century by M. Bieb., its presence was noted in the botanical publication “Flora Taurico-Caucasica” in 1808.
This hardy plant finds its natural habitat stretching from the Balkan Peninsula all the way to regions in Mongolia. Such a wide geographical distribution indicates the plant’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions. Galium humifusum is characteristically known for its spreading growth pattern, making it a familiar sight across vast terrains where it often carpets the ground.
The spreading bedstraw is a resilient plant that has adapted well to different ecological zones, thriving in various environmental conditions across its range. It typically favors habitats where it can spread and grow with ease, often forming dense mats that can cover large areas of land.
Due to its widespread nature and the role it plays in its native ecosystems, Galium humifusum serves as an interesting subject for botanical studies. Its adaptability and broad distribution make it a significant species within the Rubiaceae family, contributing to our understanding of plant ecology and biogeography in the regions it occupies.
Common Names
Eng: spreading bedstraw
Hun: heverő galaj
En: Spreading bedstraw
He: דבקה שרועה
Hu: Heverő galaj
Synonyms
- Asperula dissitiflora (Post)
- Asperula conferta ((K.Koch) Stankov)
- Asperula insuavis (Pobed.)
- Asperula humifusa var. pycnantha ((Boiss.) Boiss.)
- Asperula besseriana (Klokov)
- Asperula humifusa var. trichantha (Regel & Herder)
- Asperula debilis (Ledeb.)
- Galium pseudohumifusum (Ostapko)
- Galium cincinnatum ((Klokov) Ostapko)
- Galium humifusum var. lasiocarpum ((Boiss.) Meikle)
- Galium humifusum subsp. cincinnatum ((Klokov) Soó)
- Galium humifusum subsp. besserianum ((Klokov) Soó)
- Galium polycarpum (Less. ex Ledeb.)
- Asperula ghautensis (Post)
- Galium humifusum var. diffusum ((K.Koch) Ancev)
- Galium humifusum var. confertum ((K.Koch) Ancev)
- Asperula humifusa ((M.Bieb.) Besser)
- Galium parisiense (Pall.)
- Asperula humifusa f. hirsuta (Nábelek)
- Asperula humifusa f. glaberrima (Nábelek)
- Asperula humifusa var. aspera (Regel & Herder)
- Asperula pycnantha (Boiss.)
- Asperula humifusa var. diffusa (K.Koch)
- Asperula humifusa var. conferta (K.Koch)
- Galium insuavis ((Pobed.) Pobed.)
- Asperula humifusa var. debilis ((Ledeb.) Regel & Herder)
- Asperula turkestanica (Nevski)
- Asperula cincinnata (Klokov)
- Galium lenkoranicum (Mikheev)
- Asperula pycnantha var. lasiocarpa (Boiss.)
- Galium apricum (Sieber ex Steud.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Greece (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
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.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Aug 12, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 12, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 12, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:750032-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2908433)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Galium humifusum M.Bieb.)
