Wall bedstraw (Galium parisiense, Sp. Pl.: 108 (1753))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 108 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Galium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, W. & C. Europe to Medit. and Iran, NW. Himalaya

Description

Wall bedstraw (Galium parisiense), first described in 1753, is a member of the Rubiaceae family. This plant is native to a wide range encompassing Macaronesia, Western and Central Europe, the Mediterranean region, Iran, and the Northwestern Himalayas.

Wall bedstraw is a hardy species found in a variety of habitats. It thrives in dry fields, wastelands, and along roadsides, favoring areas with well-drained soil. The plant has a resilience that allows it to adapt to different environmental conditions, contributing to its widespread distribution.

Characterized by its slender stems and small, whorled leaves, Wall bedstraw presents an understated, yet intricate appearance. The stems, often sprawling across the ground or climbing nearby vegetation, support tiny, white, star-shaped flowers that typically bloom from late spring into summer. These delicate flowers attract pollinators and add a subtle charm to the plant’s unassuming presence.

The adaptability and expansive range of Wall bedstraw make it an interesting subject for botanical study. Its ability to colonize varied environments showcases the species’ ecological versatility. Despite its modest size and appearance, Galium parisiense plays a significant role in its native habitats, providing food and habitat for various insects and contributing to the local biodiversity.

In summary, Wall bedstraw is a remarkable example of plant resilience and adaptability. Its wide distribution across different continents and climates underscores its evolutionary success and ecological importance within the Rubiaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: pariser labkraut
Dan: pariser-snerre
Eng: wall bedstraw
Ces: svízel pařížský
Nld: frans walstro
Swe: franskmåra
Fra: gaillet de paris, gaillet d’angleterre
Cym: briwydd y mur, briwydden y mur
En: Wall bedstraw
Bg: Парижко еньовче
Ca: Gali parisenc
Cs: Svízel pařížský
Da: Pariser-snerre
Nl: Frans walstro
Fi: Ranskanmatara
Fr: Gaillet de Paris, Gaillet d’Angleterre
De: Pariser Labkraut
It: Caglio sottile
Es: Lapa parisina
Sv: Franskmåra
Cy: Briwydd y mur, Briwydden y Mur

Synonyms

• Galium rubrum (Pollich)
• Galium scabrum (Spreng.)
• Galium gracile (Wallr.)
• Galium intricatum (Lowe)
• Galium tenellum (Jord.)
• Aparinella litigiosa ((DC.) Fourr.)
• Galium litigiosum var. nanum (DC.)
• Galium perpusillum (Gaterau)
• Galium divaricatum var. tenellum ((Jord.) Rouy)
• Galium parisiense subvar. litigiosum (DC. ex Bég.)
• Galium parisiense subvar. trichocarpum (Briq. & Cavill.)
• Galium parisiense subsp. decipiens ((Fourr.) Rouy)
• Galium gracile var. parisiense ((L.) Dumort.)
• Galium anglicum subsp. decipiens ((Fourr.) Nyman)
• Galium anglicum var. chamaeaparine ((Willk. & Costa) Nyman)
• Galium parisiense subsp. euparisiense (Briq. & Cavill.)
• Galium parisiense subvar. decipiens ((Jord.) Merino)
• Galium intricatulum (Briq.)
• Galium minutiflorum (Brot.)
• Galium anglicum var. litigiosum ((DC.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Galium ruricola (Jord.)
• Aparinella decipiens (Fourr.)
• Galium divaricatum var. lasiocarpum (Reut. ex Lange)
• Galium chamaeaparine (Willk. & Costa)
• Galium parisiense f. decipiens ((Fourr.) Rouy)
• Galium decipiens var. depauperatum (Rouy)
• Galium parisiense var. vestitum (Gren.)
• Galium parisiense var. tenellum ((Jord.) Briq. & Cavill.)
• Galium parisiense var. gracile (Rouy)
• Galium axillare (C.Presl)
• Aparinella parisiensis ((L.) Fourr.)
• Galium parisiense subsp. litigiosum ((DC.) Gaudin)
• Galium decipiens (Jord.)
• Galium anglicum var. hispidum (St.-Lag.)
• Galium parisiense var. decipiens ((Jord.) Lange)
• Galium parisiense f. microspermum ((Desf.) Knoche)
• Galium willkommianum (Batt.)
• Galium anglicum subsp. parisiense ((L.) Nyman)
• Galium divaricatum var. lasiospermum (Boiss.)
• Galium parisiense var. trichocarpum (Tausch)
• Galium divaricatum var. microspermum ((Desf.) Cout.)
• Galium parisiense var. typicum (Bég.)
• Galium parisiense var. willkommianum (Batt.)
• Galium litigiosum (DC.)
• Aparine parisiensis ((L.) Hill)
• Galium parisiense var. ruricola ((Jord.) Rouy)
• Galium microspermum (Desf.)
• Galium anglicum subsp. tenellum ((Jord.) Bonnier)
• Galium parisiense var. litigiosum ((DC.) Webb & Berthel.)
• Aparinella ruricola ((Jord.) Fourr.)
• Galium parisiense var. lasiocarpum (Moris)
• Galium parisiense subsp. tenellum ((Jord.) Rouy)
• Galium anglicum var. ruricola ((Jord.) St.-Lag.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

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

Flower

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 29, 2019 by Julien Renoult (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by yannis avlonitis (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 27, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Dec 2, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 27, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by plant12345 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 1, 2022 by DavidR-D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Martín Luque (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by EOL − gunarson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 18, 2016 by EOL − Donna Pomeroy (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 27, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Dec 31, 1851 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Bark

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:750384-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2913169)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Galium parisiense L.)

Specifications

Growth