June 4, 2011

Great Hedge Bedstraw


The Great Hedge Bedstraw (Galium mollugo) grows in hedges but also on roadsides and hayfields. After mowing the grass and some rain the white clouds will re-appear.





















Like other bedstraws this one has tiny, star-shaped flowers. Insects search them for nectar.


















All bedstraws and other members of the Rubiaceae-family have verticillate leaves. In the Great Hedge Bedstrow they are now hidden under the great mass of flowers, but in spring they looked like this.