RUBIACE^— MADDER FAMILY 



GALIUM. BABY'S BREATH. BEDSTRAW 



Galium mollUgo. 



Galium, the name of a plant mentioned by Dioscorides as used in 

 curdling milk. 



A species of Bedstraw whose delicate and abundant fiowers are used 

 to lighten the heaviness of other flowers, in the same way as Gypsophila 

 is used. European. May, June. 



Galium. Galium mollitgo 



5few.— One to three feet high, branching. 



Leaves.— In whorls of six or eight, obovate to oblong or linear, more 

 or less rough at the edges, always terminated by a little point. 



Flowers.— Small, white, four-petioled. • 



Ca/yx.— Without teeth, coherent with the ovary. 



Corolla.— Sraall, wheel-shaped, four-lobed; lobes pointed, valvate in 

 bud. 



Stamens. — Four, inserted on the tube of the corolla. 



Fruit. — ^Twin, separating into two one-seeded carpels. 



41S 



