NORTHERN BEDSTRAW 



Galium boreale Linnaeus 



In many parts of North America northern bedstraw is a familiar 

 plant Although essentially northern in its distribution, as its name 

 implies, it is not an Arctic plant, but seems to thrive best in regions 

 of only moderately cold climate. In the central and southern Rockies 

 it is abundant at middle and high altitudes, but farther north it 

 frequents the foothills, extending out upon the plains. The plant 

 sometimes forms dense clumps which afford a bouquet of feathery 

 white flower sprays that are delicately scented. In the Rockies the 

 name wild heliotrope is occasionally applied to the plant, although 

 its fragrance is scarcely suggestive of our garden heliotrope. 



Northern bedstraw grows in a great variety of situations, on open 

 banks among rocks and grasses, in aspen thickets, or along streams, 

 where the abundant moisture develops luxuriant plants that are 

 sometimes two feet high. The species ranges from Pennsylvania, 

 Missouri, and southern California, northward over the greater part of 

 Canada and Alaska, and is widely distributed also in northern Europe 

 and Asia. 



This plant is one of a large group of the Madder Family, some 

 members of which produce, in their roots, a red or purple dye. Most 

 of our American bedstraws are unattractive plants, with weak rough 

 stems and insignificant flowers. 



The sketch was made from a specimen found near Banff, Alberta, 

 Canada. 



PLATE 63 



