Lady's Bedstraw - Gallium verum
Irish name - Ru Mhuire
Madder, bedstraw or coffee family - Rubiaceae
Lady’s Bedstraw is a well-known native wildflower of grasslands. Its fine leaves and attractive yellow, honey-scented flowers make it an ideal for a hint of colour in your garden. It is a perennial plant and is frequently found in dry banks, grasslands and sand dunes around the coast as well as in waste grounds and roadside verges. It can grow in most types of soil, but prefers it to be well drained.
Lady’s Bedstraw will grow well in your summer meadow. It flowers generally in July and August and the seeds ripen from August to September.
Its common name probably derives from a Christian legend that claims it was part of the bedding used in the manger in which Jesus lay. The plant has been used as stuffing in pillows and mattresses, particularly for women about to give birth, as it was believed to ensure a safe and easy childbirth. This belief is probably based in the properties of the plant, as its coumarin scent is said to repel insects and fleas. It has also been used to combat sleeplessness.
Among the other common names used for the plant is Maid’s Hair. The yellow dye that can be obtained from the stems, leaves and flowering tips has been used as a hair dye. Although it has never been widely cultivated for this purpose, a red dye can also be produced from the roots and has been used for dyeing wool and other fabrics in places like the Western Isles.
Lady’s Bedstraw is sometimes referred to as Cheese Rennet or Cheese Renning. This name corresponds to the common use of the plant as a milk curdler. The plant contains an enzyme suitable for this purpose. The latin name Gallium derives from the Greek ‘gala‘ that means milk. What makes this plant especially useful in cheese production is that as well as curdling milk, it also colours the cheese a bright yellow.
This species has also been known to have many medicinal uses. A decoction of the plant has been used as a remedy for urinary diseases and for its diuretic and blood-purifying properties. This decoction is also good as an addition to hot water to soothe the feet of a weary traveller. In Europe, people have placed a piece of the plant in their shoes for protection against blisters. Treatment for skin complaints is another common use of this plant. The plant has also been highly esteemed as a remedy to stop internal bleeding and nosebleeds. In some countries it is also considered to have a positive effect for those suffering from epilepsy and hysteria. As always, we recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before trying any of these herbal remedies.
Propagation
By seed
The seeds can be sown in situ in spring or early autumn into well-prepared soil. Although, Conservation Volunteers has achieved best germination rates from sowing fresh seed in late summer in a seed tray filled with a 50:50 compost/sand mix. Scatter the seed and firm well. Keep the soil moist and when large enough to handle, move individual plants into cells or small pots. The plants should be large enough to plant out by the following summer. Once established, the plant will spread quickly.
By division
You can also propagate the plant by division throughout the growing season, if the divisions are kept moist until they are established. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well-rooted, though larger clumps can also be replanted directly into its permanent position.
The following grow in similar habitats (alphabetical by common name)
- Bladder Campion
- Common Dog Violet
- Cuckooflower
- Devil's-bit Scabious
- Field Scabious
- Goat's-beard
- Harebell
- Knapweed
- Meadowsweet
- Ox-eye Daisy
- Primrose
- Self-heal
- Teasel
- Yarrow
Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Northern Ireland Environment Agency too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).