Galium album, Hedge Bedstraw

Common Name: Hedge Bedstraw

Galium album, commonly known as Hedge Bedstraw, is a medium to tall perennial plant, sometimes scrambling, usually hairless, with smooth, square stems. The leaves are oblong to elliptical in whorls of 6 to 8, appearing quite thin and rather pale green. Flowers are four parted white 2 to 3 mm in loose branched clusters.

Common and easily identified, found in open woods, scrub, rough grassland, hedgebanks and even gardens. Flowers fairly profusely from June to September. Widespread in Britain and fairly common, in England at least.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.