Galium
Genus of plants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Galium is a large genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the family Rubiaceae, occurring in the temperate zones of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Some species are informally known as bedstraw.[1]
| Galium | |
|---|---|
| |
| Flowers of Galium aparine | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rubioideae |
| Tribe: | Rubieae |
| Genus: | Galium L. |
| Diversity | |
| c. 650, see text | |
Over 600 species of Galium are described,[2] with estimates of 629[3] to 650[4] as of 2013. The field madder, Sherardia arvensis, is a close relative and may be confused with a tiny bedstraw. Asperula is also a closely related genus; some species of Galium (such as woodruff, G. odoratum) are occasionally placed therein.
Genetic variability
The phenotypic plasticity and genetic variability of this species allows it to be constantly shifting to best fit its environment, adjusting lifecycles, seed germination, productivity, growth form, freezing tolerance, etc.[5] Herbicides at the recommended amount are not effective enough to decrease catchweed bedstraw biomass or population, twice the amount is needed.[6]
As invasive species
Cattle and other livestock do not often feed on this plant, making it thrive and dominating over other species. G. mollugo in particular, is a thriving invasive species, since it can dominate in areas where other alien species would not be able to, growing very fast in best conditions.[7]
