FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Weakly erect or in tangled, reclining strands, stems somewhat branching. Look for variably-sized whorled leaves in sets of 5 and 6, and tiny, 3-petaled white flowers.
Synonym(s): Asperula tinctoria, Galium claytonii, Galium obtusum, Galium trifidum
Description: Medium height weak herb, with long rough stems and whorled, small, linear leaves.
Leaves: Simple, narrow leaves in whorls of 5 or 6 (rarely 4), widely spaced on square stems. Leaves elongated and blunt or rounded at tips, about 1 to 3 mm wide. Leaves and stems slightly rough to the touch.
Flowers/Fruit: Three-petaled, small, white flowers in clusters usually of 3, arising from bases of leaves; fruits are tiny, smooth, spherical pods, ripening to black. Blooms April to June; fruits June to August.
Habit and Range: Swamps, wet meadows and ditches, bogs, marshes statewide.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
This Galium species differs from others in North Carolina by having 3- or 2-petaled flowers.
