About Galium concinnum Torr. & A.Gray
Galium concinnum Torr. & A.Gray is a herbaceous perennial plant with a delicate appearance, that grows low and trailing along the ground. It is a short species, reaching between 15 and 63 cm in total height. Its stems are thin and fragile, covered in nearly microscopic hairs that measure 0.05–0.1 mm, and typically branch just once per node. The leaves are small, long, and slender; they are usually 2–3 mm wide and approximately 1–2 cm long. Most often, leaves grow in whorled groups of 6 that surround each stem node, though some branching nodes only hold 4 leaves per node. The inflorescences are compound cymes that branch 2–3 times. Flowers, which grow at the terminal ends of the inflorescence branches, are small at 2–3 mm wide, white, and have 4 petals. The fruits are smooth, round, small at 1.5–2.3 mm, and grow in pairs. Galium concinnum is native to the Midwestern United States and the Canadian province of Ontario. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, including mesic soils near lakes, rivers, and woodland edges. It can also be found in deciduous upland forests, bluffs, and even sandy or rocky woodlands. Common name shinning bedstraw, Galium concinnum was historically used most often for stuffing beds. It was also used as a treatment for skin conditions: it was ground into a powder to reduce inflammation and speed healing of skin wounds. It was also used to address urinary tract problems, by helping to clean out the urinary tract.
