Galium pumilum

Pastures bedstraw ( Galium pumilum )

The pastures bedstraw ( Galium pumilum ), also known as heath bedstraw, Low bedstraw or cleavers Petite is an area in central Europe just as widely occurring member of the family of the Rubiaceae ( Rubiaceae ).

Description

The pastures bedstraw is a perennial, herbaceous plant that usually, sometimes reaches stature heights from 15 to 25 cm and up to 50 cm. The stiff, smooth stems grow prostrate or ascending, and is hardly reddened in the lower part. The plant grows lockerrasig and has only a few, not blooming shoots. When dry, the plant is greenish- brown. Which are on the bottom leaves are withered at flowering time, the upper, non-glossy leaves sit at seven to eight quirlförmig to the stem. They are narrow - lanceolate and runs frequently and curved like a sickle. In general, they are 8 to 12 times as long as wide. The inflorescence is loose and narrow pyramidal with upright, 1 to 1.5 mm long flower stems. The white vierzipfelige crown reached widths of about 2.5 to 4 mm. The fruit is usually 1 mm long, round and smooth to papillose. The pastures bedstraw flowers mainly during the months of June to August.

Distribution and habitat requirements

The pastures bedstraw occurs in Western and Central Europe. In Germany the species is widespread in the central region and in the south and most frequently found, while virtually entirely absent in the north. In Austria there is in all provinces scattered in front to often. In Switzerland, G. pumilum is generally common to find. The pastures bedstraw grows in silicate - poor grassland and open woods. It prefers fresh, lime-free, humus and sandy loam soils. It is an indicator acidification.