Intermountain Bedstraw: A Mysterious Pacific Northwest Native
If you’re a native plant enthusiast looking for something truly unique, you might have stumbled across Intermountain bedstraw (Galium serpenticum puberulum). This perennial member of the bedstraw family is one of those plants that keeps botanists on their toes – and gardeners scratching their heads!
What is Intermountain Bedstraw?
Intermountain bedstraw is a perennial forb herb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. Like other members of the Galium genus, it belongs to the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and shares some characteristics with its more well-known cousin, sweet bedstraw.
This plant has quite the collection of botanical aliases, including Galium multiflorum var. puberulum and Galium watsonii ssp. puberulum, among others. It’s like the plant equivalent of a witness protection program!
Where Does It Grow?
Intermountain bedstraw is native to the lower 48 states, with confirmed populations in Washington state. This makes it a true Pacific Northwest native, though its exact distribution patterns remain somewhat mysterious.
Should You Plant Intermountain Bedstraw?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. While Intermountain bedstraw is undoubtedly a native species worthy of conservation interest, there’s surprisingly little information available about its garden performance, growing requirements, or ecological benefits.
The Mystery Factor
Unfortunately, detailed information about this particular species is quite limited. We don’t currently have reliable data about:
- Specific growing conditions and soil preferences
- Mature size and growth rate
- Pollinator and wildlife benefits
- USDA hardiness zones
- Propagation methods
- Landscape design applications
Consider Alternatives
If you’re interested in bedstraws for your native garden, you might want to consider other, better-documented Galium species that offer similar ecological benefits with more reliable growing information. Sweet bedstraw (Galium triflorum) or northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) are excellent alternatives that are well-studied and readily available.
For the Truly Adventurous
If you’re determined to work with Intermountain bedstraw, your best bet is to:
- Contact local native plant societies or botanical gardens in Washington
- Reach out to university extension programs
- Connect with specialized native plant nurseries
- Ensure any plant material is ethically and legally sourced
The Bottom Line
Intermountain bedstraw represents one of those fascinating gaps in our horticultural knowledge. While it’s certainly a legitimate native species deserving of respect and study, the lack of available growing information makes it challenging to recommend for most home gardeners. Sometimes the most responsible approach is to appreciate a plant’s existence while choosing better-documented alternatives for our gardens.
If you do encounter this plant in the wild, consider it a special sighting and perhaps contribute to citizen science efforts by documenting its location and characteristics. Every bit of information helps fill in the blanks for rare and under-studied native species like Intermountain bedstraw.
