Awned Bedstraw: A Lesser-Known Member of the Bedstraw Family
If you’ve stumbled across the name awned bedstraw in your plant research, you’ve discovered one of the more mysterious members of the bedstraw family. Galium aristatum, as botanists call it, is a perennial forb that has made its way into North American gardens, though it remains relatively uncommon and understudied compared to its more famous cousins.
What Exactly Is Awned Bedstraw?
Awned bedstraw belongs to the same plant family as coffee—the Rubiaceae family—though you won’t be brewing up any morning beverages from this little herb! As a forb, it’s an herbaceous plant that lacks significant woody tissue, meaning it dies back to the ground each winter and returns from its roots the following spring.
The awned part of its name likely refers to bristle-like structures on the plant, a characteristic that helps distinguish it from other bedstraw species. However, detailed descriptions of its appearance are surprisingly scarce in gardening literature.
Where Does It Come From?
Here’s where things get interesting: awned bedstraw isn’t native to North America. It’s what botanists call a naturalized plant—meaning it was introduced from elsewhere but now reproduces on its own in the wild. Currently, it’s only documented as growing in New York state, making it quite geographically limited compared to other bedstraw species that have spread across the continent.
Should You Grow Awned Bedstraw?
This is where we need to have an honest conversation. While awned bedstraw isn’t currently listed as invasive or noxious, there’s simply not enough information available about its garden performance, care requirements, or ecological impact to make a strong recommendation either way.
Here’s what we don’t know:
- Its preferred growing conditions
- How tall or wide it grows
- What its flowers look like
- Whether it benefits pollinators or wildlife
- How easy or difficult it is to grow
- Its potential to become problematic
Better Alternatives: Native Bedstraws Worth Considering
Instead of taking a chance on this botanical mystery, why not consider some well-documented native bedstraw species? These alternatives will give you similar plant characteristics with the confidence that comes from choosing native plants:
- Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) – A native perennial with clusters of tiny white flowers
- Fragrant bedstraw (Galium triflorum) – Features sweet-scented foliage and adapts to various conditions
- Wild licorice (Galium circaezans) – Thrives in woodland settings with attractive whorled leaves
The Bottom Line
Awned bedstraw remains something of a horticultural enigma. While it’s not flagged as problematic, the lack of available information about its garden behavior and care requirements makes it a risky choice for most gardeners. Your garden space is precious, so why not fill it with native plants that come with proven track records for supporting local ecosystems?
If you’re specifically interested in bedstraw plants, stick with the native species that will provide habitat for local wildlife while giving you reliable garden performance. Save the plant mysteries for the botanists—your garden (and local ecosystem) will thank you for it!
