The Wonderful World of Gallium: A Closer Look
I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity of the plant kingdom. From towering redwoods to delicate wildflowers, each species has its own unique beauty and story to tell. Lately, I’ve become particularly interested in the genus Gallium, a group of plants with a fascinating array of characteristics and uses.
Gallium is a large genus belonging to the Rubiaceae family, which also includes coffee and gardenias. Commonly known as bedstraw, these plants are typically found in temperate regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. What draws me to them is their understated charm. They might not be the showiest plants in the garden, but their delicate flowers and interesting growth habits have a quiet beauty that I find captivating.
Diverse Species
One of the things that makes Gallium so interesting is its sheer diversity. There are hundreds of species within the genus, ranging from low-growing ground covers to scrambling vines. This variety means that there’s a Gallium species for almost any garden setting.
Here are species within the Gallium genus:
- Galium abaujense Borbás
- Galium absurdum Krendl
- Galium achurense Grossh.
- Galium acrophyum Hochst. ex Chiov.
- Galium acuminatum Ball
- Galium acutum Edgew.
- Galium adhaerens Boiss. & Balansa
- Galium advenum Krendl
- Galium aegeum (Stoj. & Kitan.) Ancev
- Galium aetnicum Biv.
- Galium afropusillum Ehrend.
- Galium agrophilum Krendl
- Galium aladaghense Parolly
- Galium × alberti Rouy
- Galium albescens Hook.f.
- Galium alboflorum S.S.Ying
- Galium album Mill.
- Galium amatymbicum Eckl. & Zeyh.
- Galium amblyophyllum Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
- Galium amorginum Halácsy
- Galium amurense Pobed.
- Galium andrewsii A.Gray
- Galium andringitrense Homolle ex Puff
- Galium anfractum Sommier & Levier
- Galium anglicum Huds.
- Galium anguineum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium angulosum A.Gray
- Galium angustifolium Nutt.
- Galium angustissimum (Hausskn. ex Bornm.) Ehrend.
- Galium anisophyllon Vill.
- Galium ankaratrense Homolle ex Puff
- Galium antarcticum Hook.f.
- Galium antitauricum Ehrend.
- Galium antuneziae Dempster
- Galium aparine L.
- Galium aparinoides Forssk.
- Galium arenarium Loisel.
- Galium arequipicum Dempster
- Galium aretioides Boiss.
- Galium argense Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium aristatum L.
- Galium arkansanum A.Gray
- Galium armenum Schanzer
- Galium ascendens Willd. ex Spreng.
- Galium aschenbornii S.Schauer
- Galium asparagifolium Boiss. & Heldr.
- Galium asperifolium Wall.
- Galium asperuloides Edgew.
- Galium asprellum Michx.
- Galium atherodes Spreng.
- Galium atlanticum Ball
- Galium aucheri Boiss.
- Galium auratum Klokov
- Galium australe DC.
- Galium austriacum Jacq.
- Galium avascense Krendl
- Galium azerbayjanicum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium azuayicum Dempster
- Galium babadaghense Yıld.
- Galium baeticum (Rouy) Ehrend. & Krendl
- Galium baghlanense Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium baillonii D.Brândza
- Galium baldense Spreng.
- Galium baldensiforme Hand.-Mazz.
- Galium balearicum Briq.
- Galium × barcinonense Sennen
- Galium basalticum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium baytopianum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium beckhausianum G.H.Loos
- Galium belizianum Ortega Oliv., Devesa & Rodr.Riaño
- Galium bellatulum Klokov
- Galium bermudense L.
- Galium bifolium S.Watson
- Galium bigeminum Griseb.
- Galium bingoelense Yıld. & Kılıç
- Galium binifolium N.A.Wakef.
- Galium blinii H.Lév.
- Galium boissierianum (Steud.) Ehrend. & Krendl
- Galium bolanderi A.Gray
- Galium boreale L.
- Galium boreoaethiopicum Puff
- Galium bornmuelleri Hausskn. ex Bornm.
- Galium bourgaeanum Coss. ex Ball
- Galium boyacanum Dempster
- Galium brachyphyllum Schult. & Schult.f.
- Galium bracteatum Boiss.
- Galium bredasdorpense Puff
- Galium brenanii Ehrend. & Verdc.
- Galium brevifolium Sm.
- Galium breviramosum Krendl
- Galium brockmannii Briq.
- Galium broterianum Boiss. & Reut.
- Galium brunneum Munby
- Galium bryoides Merr. & L.M.Perry
- Galium buchtienii Dempster
- Galium × buekkense Hulják
- Galium bullatum Lipsky
- Galium bulliforme I.Thomps.
- Galium bungei Steud.
- Galium bungoniense I.Thomps.
- Galium buschiorum Mikheev
- Galium bussei K.Schum. & K.Krause
- Galium buxifolium Greene
- Galium cajamarcense Dempster
- Galium californicum Hook. & Arn.
- Galium caminianum Schult. & Schult.f.
- Galium campanelliferum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium campylotrichum Nazim. & Ehrend.
- Galium canescens Kunth
- Galium cankiriense Yıld.
- Galium canum Req. ex DC.
- Galium capense Thunb.
- Galium capitatum Bory & Chaub.
- Galium cappadocicum Boiss.
- Galium caprarium Natali
- Galium capreum Krendl
- Galium cariense Daskin & Bagçivan
- Galium carmenicola Dempster
- Galium × carmineum Beauverd
- Galium carterae Dempster
- Galium caspicum Steven
- Galium cassium Boiss.
- Galium catalinense A.Gray
- Galium × centroniae Cariot
- Galium ceratoamanianum Ehrend.
- Galium ceratocarpon Boiss.
- Galium ceratophylloides Hook.f.
- Galium ceratopodum Boiss.
- Galium cespitosum Lam.
- Galium chaetopodum Rech.f.
- Galium chekiangense Ehrend.
- Galium chloroionanthum K.Schum.
- Galium chloroleucum Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
- Galium ciliare Hook.f.
- Galium cilicicum Boiss.
- Galium cinereum All.
- Galium circae Krendl
- Galium circaezans Michx.
- Galium citraceum Boiss.
- Galium clementis Eastw.
- Galium cliftonsmithii (Dempster) Dempster & Stebbins
- Galium collomiae J.T.Howell
- Galium coloradoense W.Wight
- Galium comberi Dempster
- Galium cometerhizon Lapeyr.
- Galium compactum Ehrend. & McGill.
- Galium concatenatum Coss.
- Galium concinnum Torr. & A.Gray
- Galium confertum Royle ex Hook.f.
- Galium conforme Krendl
- Galium consanguineum Boiss.
- Galium coriaceum Bunge
- Galium corinthiacum Strid & Kit Tan
- Galium cornigerum Boiss. & Hausskn.
- Galium coronadoense Dempster
- Galium correllii Dempster
- Galium corsicum Spreng.
- Galium corymbosum Ruiz & Pav.
- Galium cossonianum Jafri
- Galium cotinoides Cham. & Schltdl.
- Galium cracoviense Ehrend.
- Galium crassifolium W.C.Chen
- Galium craticulatum R.R.Mill
- Galium crespianum Rodr.
- Galium cryptanthum Hemsl.
- Galium cuatrecasasii Standl.
- Galium curvihirtum Ehrend. & McGill.
- Galium cuspidulatum Miq.
- Galium cyllenium Boiss. & Heldr.
- Galium czerepanovii Pobed.
- Galium davisii Ehrend.
- Galium davuricum Turcz. ex Ledeb.
- Galium debile Desv.
- Galium decorum Krendl
- Galium decumbens (Ehrend.) Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium degenii Bald. ex Degen
- Galium deistelii K.Krause
- Galium delicatulum Boiss. & Hohen.
- Galium demissum Boiss.
- Galium dempsterae B.L.Turner
- Galium densiflorum Ledeb.
- Galium densum Hook.f.
- Galium denticulatum Bartl. ex DC.
- Galium desereticum Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium diabolense Dempster
- Galium dieckii Bornm.
- Galium diffusoramosum Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium × digeneum A.Kern.
- Galium dincii Yıld.
- Galium diphyllum (K.Schum.) Dempster
- Galium diploprion Boiss. & Hohen.
- Galium divaricatum Pourr. ex Lam.
- Galium domingense Iltis
- Galium dumosum Boiss.
- Galium duthiei R.Bhattacharjee
- Galium echinocarpum Hayata
- Galium ecuadoricum Dempster
- Galium × effulgens Beck
- Galium ehrenbergii Boiss.
- Galium elbursense Bornm. & Gauba
- Galium elegans Wall.
- Galium elongatum C.Presl
- Galium emeryense Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium ephedroides Willk.
- Galium equisetoides (Cham. & Schltdl.) Standl.
- Galium ericoides Lam.
- Galium eriocarpum Bartl. ex DC.
- Galium eruptivum Krendl
- Galium erythrorrhizon Boiss. & Reut.
- Galium espiniacicum Dempster
- Galium estebanii Sennen
- Galium exaltatum Krendl
- Galium exile Hook.f.
- Galium exstipulatum P.H.Davis
- Galium exsurgens Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium extensum Krendl
- Galium falconeri R.Bhattacharjee
- Galium fendleri A.Gray
- Galium ferrugineum K.Krause
- Galium festivum Krendl
- Galium × fictum E.G.Camus
- Galium filipes Rydb.
- Galium firmum Tausch
- Galium fissurense Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium fistulosum Sommier & Levier
- Galium flavescens Borbás ex Simonk.
- Galium flaviflorum (Trautv.) Mikheev
- Galium floribundum Sm.
- Galium flossdorfii Hicken
- Galium formosense Ohwi
- Galium forrestii Diels
- Galium fosbergii Dempster
- Galium friedrichii N.Torres, L.Sáez, Mus & Rosselló
- Galium fruticosum Willd.
- Galium fuegianum Hook.f.
- Galium fuscum M.Martens & Galeotti
- Galium galapagoense Wiggins
- Galium galiopsis (Hand.-Mazz.) Ehrend.
- Galium gaudichaudii DC.
- Galium geminiflorum Lowe
- Galium ghilanicum Stapf
- Galium gilliesii Hook. & Arn.
- Galium glaberrimum Hemsl.
- Galium glabrescens (Ehrend.) Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium glabriusculum Ehrend.
- Galium glaciale K.Krause
- Galium glandulosum Hand.-Mazz.
- Galium glaucophyllum Em.Schmid
- Galium glaucum L.
- Galium globuliferum Hub.-Mor. & Reese
- Galium gracilicaule Bacigalupo & Ehrend.
- Galium graecum L.
- Galium grande McClatchie
- Galium grayanum Ehrend.
- Galium guadalupense (Spreng.) Govaerts
- Galium guanwuense S.S.Ying
- Galium gymnopetalum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium hainesii Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium hallii Munz & I.M.Johnst.
- Galium hardhamiae Dempster
- Galium hatschbachii Dempster
- Galium haussknechtii Ehrend.
- Galium heldreichii Halácsy
- Galium hellenicum Krendl
- Galium hexanarium Knjaz.
- Galium hierochuntinum Bornm.
- Galium hierosolymitanum L.
- Galium hilendiae Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium × himmelbaurianum (Ronniger) Soó
- Galium hintoniorum B.L.Turner
- Galium hirtiflorum Req. ex DC.
- Galium hirtum Lam.
- Galium hoffmeisteri (Klotzsch) Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem. ex R.R.Mill
- Galium hohuanshanense S.S.Ying
- Galium huancavelicum Dempster
- Galium huber-morathii Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium humifusum M.Bieb.
- Galium humile Cham. & Schltdl.
- Galium humilioides (M.L.Porto & Ehrend.) K.De Toni & Mariath
- Galium × hungaricum A.Kern.
- Galium hupehense Pamp.
- Galium × huteri A.Kern.
- Galium hypocarpium (L.) Endl. ex Griseb.
- Galium hypotrichium A.Gray
- Galium hypoxylon Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium hyrcanicum C.A.Mey.
- Galium hystricocarpum Greenm.
- Galium idubedae (Pau & Debeaux) Pau ex Ehrend.
- Galium iltisii Dempster
- Galium incanum Sm.
- Galium inconspicuum Phil.
- Galium incrassatum Halácsy
- Galium incurvum Sm.
- Galium innocuum Miq.
- Galium insulare Krendl
- Galium intermedium Schult.
- Galium intricatum Margot & Reut.
- Galium ionicum Krendl
- Galium iranicum Hausskn. ex Bornm.
- Galium irinae Pachom.
- Galium isauricum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium × jansenii Kloos
- Galium japonicum Makino
- Galium × jarynae Wol.
- Galium javanicum Blume
- Galium jemense Kotschy
- Galium jepsonii Hilend & J.T.Howell
- Galium johnstonii Dempster & Stebbins
- Galium judaicum Boiss.
- Galium jungermannioides Boiss.
- Galium junghuhnianum Miq.
- Galium juniperinum Standl.
- Galium kaganense R.Bhattacharjee
- Galium kahelianum Deflers
- Galium kamtschaticum Steller ex Schult. & Schult.f.
- Galium karakulense Pobed.
- Galium karataviense (Pavlov) Pobed.
- Galium karliovaense Yıld. & Kılıç
- Galium kasachstanicum Pachom.
- Galium kenyanum Verdc.
- Galium kerneri Degen & Dörfl.
- Galium khorasanense Griff.
- Galium kikumugura Ohwi
- Galium killipii Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium kinuta Nakai & H.Hara
- Galium kitaibelianum Schult. & Schult.f.
- Galium × kondratjukii Ostapko
- Galium kuetzingii Boiss. & Buhse
- Galium kulluense Anant Kumar, Ranjan & S.C.Srivast.
- Galium kunmingense Ehrend.
- Galium kurdicum Boiss. & Hohen.
- Galium labradoricum (Wiegand) Wiegand
- Galium laconicum Boiss. & Heldr.
- Galium lacrimiforme Dempster
- Galium laevigatum L.
- Galium lanceolatum (Torr. & A.Gray) Torr.
- Galium lanuginosum Lam.
- Galium × lanulosum Ostapko
- Galium lasiocarpum Boiss.
- Galium latifolium Michx.
- Galium latoramosum Clos
- Galium leiocarpum I.Thomps.
- Galium leptogonium I.Thomps.
- Galium leptum Phil.
- Galium libanoticum Ehrend.
- Galium lilloi Hicken
- Galium linearifolium Turcz.
- Galium liratum N.A.Wakef.
- Galium lishanense S.S.Ying
- Galium litorale Guss.
- Galium longipedunculatum (Mariath & Ehrend.) K.De Toni & Mariath
- Galium lovcense Urum.
- Galium lucidum All.
- Galium macedonicum Krendl
- Galium magellanicum Hook.f.
- Galium magellense Ten.
- Galium magnifolium (Dempster) Dempster
- Galium mahadivense G.Singh
- Galium malickyi Krendl
- Galium mandonii Britton
- Galium maneauense P.Royen
- Galium marchandii Roem. & Schult.
- Galium margaceum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium margaritaceum A.Kern.
- Galium maritimum L.
- Galium martirense Dempster & Stebbins
- Galium masafueranum Skottsb.
- Galium matthewsii A.Gray
- Galium maximoviczii (Kom.) Pobed.
- Galium mechudoense Dempster
- Galium megacyttarion R.R.Mill
- Galium megalanthum Boiss.
- Galium megalospermum All.
- Galium megapotamicum Spreng.
- Galium melanantherum Boiss.
- Galium meliodorum (Beck) Fritsch
- Galium membranaceum Ehrend.
- Galium mexicanum Kunth
- Galium microchiasma Gilli
- Galium microlobum I.Thomps.
- Galium microphyllum A.Gray
- Galium migrans Ehrend. & McGill.
- Galium minutissimum T.Shimizu
- Galium minutulum Jord.
- Galium mirum Rech.f.
- Galium mite Boiss. & Hohen.
- Galium moldavicum (Dobrocz.) Franco
- Galium mollugo L.
- Galium monachinii Boiss. & Heldr.
- Galium monasterium Krendl
- Galium monticola Sond.
- Galium montis-arerae Merxm. & Ehrend.
- Galium moralesianum Ortega Oliv. & Devesa
- Galium moranii Dempster
- Galium morii Hayata
- Galium mucroniferum Sond.
- Galium muelleri (K.Schum.) Dempster
- Galium multiflorum Kellogg
- Galium munzii Hilend & J.T.Howell
- Galium murale (L.) All.
- Galium muricatum W.Wight
- Galium × mutabile Besser
- Galium nabelekii Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium nakaii Kudô
- Galium nanhumontanum S.S.Ying
- Galium nankotaizanum Ohwi
- Galium × neglectum Le Gall ex Gren.
- Galium nepalense Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium nevadense Boiss. & Reut.
- Galium niewerthii Franch. & Sav.
- Galium nigdeense Yıld.
- Galium nigricans Boiss.
- Galium nigroramosum (Ehrend.) Dempster
- Galium noli-tangere Ball
- Galium noricum Ehrend.
- Galium normanii Dahl
- Galium novoguineense Diels
- Galium noxium (A.St.-Hil.) Dempster
- Galium numidicum Pomel
- Galium nupercreatum Popov
- Galium nuttallii A.Gray
- Galium obliquum Vill.
- Galium obovatum Kunth
- Galium obtusum Bigelow
- Galium octonarium (Klokov) Pobed.
- Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.
- Galium oelandicum (Sterner & Hyl.) Ehrend.
- Galium olgae Klokov
- Galium olivetorum Le Houér.
- Galium olympicum Boiss.
- Galium ophiolithicum Krendl
- Galium oreganum Britton
- Galium oreophilum Krendl
- Galium oresbium Greenm.
- Galium orizabense Hemsl.
- Galium oshtenicum Ehrend. & Schanzer ex Mikheev
- Galium ossirwaense K.Krause
- Galium ostenianum (Standl.) Dempster
- Galium ovalleanum Phil.
- Galium ovitdaghense Daskin
- Galium pabulosum Sommier & Levier
- Galium palaeoitalicum Ehrend.
- Galium palustre L.
- Galium pamiroalaicum Pobed.
- Galium pamphylicum Boiss. & Heldr.
- Galium paniculatum (Bunge) Pobed.
- Galium papilliferum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium papillosum Lapeyr.
- Galium papuanum Wernham
- Galium parishii Hilend & J.T.Howell
- Galium parisiense L.
- Galium parvulum Hub.-Mor. ex Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium paschale Forssk.
- Galium pastorale Krendl
- Galium peloponnesiacum Ehrend. & Krendl
- Galium penduliflorum Boiss.
- Galium pendulum Greenm.
- Galium penicillatum Boiss.
- Galium pennellii Dempster
- Galium peplidifolium Boiss.
- Galium perralderii Coss.
- Galium peruvianum Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium pestalozzae Boiss.
- Galium petrae Oliv. ex Hart
- Galium philippianum Dempster
- Galium philippinense Merr.
- Galium philistaeum Boiss.
- Galium pierredmondii Blanca, Cueto, J.Fuentes & Ortega Oliv.
- Galium pilosissimum (Cufod.) R.Bhattacharjee
- Galium pilosum Aiton
- Galium pisiferum Boiss.
- Galium pisoderium Krendl
- Galium platygalium (Maxim.) Pobed.
- Galium plumosum Rusby
- Galium pobedimovae Balde
- Galium poiretianum Ball
- Galium pojarkovae Pobed.
- Galium polyacanthum (Baker) Puff
- Galium polyanthum I.Thomps.
- Galium × pomariorum Vollrath & Breitf.
- Galium × pomeranicum Retz.
- Galium porrigens Dempster
- Galium praemontanum Mardal.
- Galium praetermissum Greenm.
- Galium × pralognense Beauverd
- Galium prattii Cufod.
- Galium pringlei Greenm.
- Galium problematicum (Ehrend.) Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium procurrens Ehrend.
- Galium productum Lowe
- Galium × prolazense Nyár.
- Galium proliferum A.Gray
- Galium propinquum A.Cunn.
- Galium pruinosum Boiss.
- Galium pseudoaristatum Schur
- Galium pseudoasprellum Makino
- Galium × pseudoboreale Klokov
- Galium pseudocapitatum Hub.-Mor. ex Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium pseudohelveticum Ehrend.
- Galium pseudokurdicum (Ehrend.) Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium pseudorivale Tzvelev
- Galium pseudotriflorum Dempster & Ehrend.
- Galium psilocladum Ehrend.
- Galium pterocarpum Ehrend.
- Galium pulvinatum Boiss.
- Galium pumilio Standl.
- Galium pumilum Murray
- Galium pusillosetosum H.Hara
- Galium pusillum L.
- Galium pyrenaicum Gouan
- Galium qaradaghense Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium × querceticola Wolosz.
- Galium quichense Dempster
- Galium radulifolium Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium ramboi Dempster
- Galium rebae R.R.Mill
- Galium reiseri Halácsy
- Galium × retzii Bouchard
- Galium rhodopeum Velen.
- Galium richardianum (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Endl. ex Walp.
- Galium rigidifolium Krendl
- Galium rivale (Sm.) Griseb.
- Galium roddii Ehrend. & McGill.
- Galium rosellum (Boiss.) Boiss. & Reut.
- Galium rotundifolium L.
- Galium rourkei Puff
- Galium rubidiflorum Dempster
- Galium rubioides L.
- Galium rubrum L.
- Galium runcinatum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium rupifragum Ehrend.
- Galium ruwenzoriense (Cortesi) Ehrend.
- Galium rzedowskii Dempster
- Galium saipalense Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium salsugineum Krylov & Serg.
- Galium salwinense Hand.-Mazz.
- Galium samium Krendl
- Galium samothracicum Rech.f.
- Galium samuelssonii Ehrend.
- Galium sancakense Yıld. & Kılıç
- Galium saturejifolium Trevir.
- Galium saurense Litv.
- Galium saxatile L.
- Galium saxosum (Chaix) Breistr.
- Galium scabrelloides Puff
- Galium scabrellum K.Schum.
- Galium scabrifolium (Boiss.) Hausskn.
- Galium scabrum L.
- Galium schlumbergeri Boiss.
- Galium × schmidelyi Chenevard & F.O.Wolf
- Galium schmidii Arrigoni
- Galium × schneebergense Ronniger
- Galium schoenbeck-temesyae Ehrend.
- Galium scioanum Chiov.
- Galium scopulorum Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium seatonii Greenm.
- Galium sellowianum (Cham.) Walp.
- Galium semiamictum Klokov
- Galium serpenticum Dempster
- Galium serpylloides Royle ex Hook.f.
- Galium setaceum Lam.
- Galium setuliferum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium shanense R.Bhattacharjee
- Galium shengkuangense S.S.Ying
- Galium shepardii Post
- Galium shepherdii Jung-Mend.
- Galium shinasii Yıldırım
- Galium sichuanense Ehrend.
- Galium sidamense Chiov.
- Galium sieheanum Ehrend.
- Galium simense Fresen.
- Galium similii Pavlov
- Galium sinaicum (Delile ex Decne.) Boiss.
- Galium siyuanianum S.S.Ying
- Galium smithreitzii Dempster
- Galium sojakii Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium songaricum Schrenk ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
- Galium sorgerae Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium sparsiflorum W.Wight
- Galium spathulatum I.Thomps.
- Galium speciosum Krendl
- Galium sphagnophilum (Greenm.) Dempster
- Galium spurium L.
- Galium stebbinsii ined.
- Galium stellatum Kellogg
- Galium stenophyllum Baker
- Galium stepparum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium sterneri Ehrend.
- Galium subfalcatum Nazim. & Ehrend.
- Galium subnemorale Klokov & Zaver.
- Galium subtrifidum Reinw. ex Blume
- Galium subtrinervium Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium subuliferum Sommier & Levier
- Galium subvelutinum (DC.) K.Koch
- Galium subvillosum Sond.
- Galium sudeticum Tausch
- Galium suecicum (Sterner) Ehrend.
- Galium suffruticosum Hook. & Arn.
- Galium sungpanense Cufod.
- Galium surinamense Dempster
- Galium sylvaticum L.
- Galium taiwanense Masam.
- Galium takasagomontanum Masam.
- Galium talaveranum Ortega Oliv. & Devesa
- Galium tanganyikense Ehrend. & Verdc.
- Galium tarokoense Hayata
- Galium taygeteum Krendl
- Galium telanthos Phil.
- Galium tendae Rchb.f.
- Galium tenuissimum M.Bieb.
- Galium terrae-reginae Ehrend. & McGill.
- Galium tetraphyllum Nazim. & Ehrend.
- Galium texense A.Gray
- Galium thasium Stoj. & Kitan.
- Galium thiebautii Ehrend.
- Galium thracicum Krendl
- Galium thunbergianum Eckl. & Zeyh.
- Galium thymifolium Boiss. & Heldr.
- Galium tianschanicum Popov
- Galium timeroyi Jord.
- Galium tinctorium L.
- Galium tmoleum Boiss.
- Galium tokyoense Makino
- Galium tolosianum Boiss. & Kotschy
- Galium tomentosum Thunb.
- Galium tortumense Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium transcarpaticum Stojko & Tasenk.
- Galium trichocarpum DC.
- Galium tricornutum Dandy
- Galium trifidum L.
- Galium trifloriforme Kom.
- Galium triflorum Michx.
- Galium trilobum Colenso
- Galium trojanum Ehrend.
- Galium truniacum (Ronniger) Ronniger
- Galium tubiflorum Ehrend.
- Galium tuncelianum Yıld.
- Galium tunetanum Lam.
- Galium turgaicum Knjaz.
- Galium turkestanicum Pobed.
- Galium tyraicum Klokov
- Galium uliginosum L.
- Galium uncinulatum DC.
- Galium undulatum Puff
- Galium uniflorum Michx.
- Galium uruguayense Bacigalupo
- Galium valantioides M.Bieb.
- Galium valdepilosum Heinr.Braun
- Galium valentinum Lange
- Galium vartanii Grossh.
- Galium vassilczenkoi Pobed.
- Galium velenovskyi Ancev
- Galium verrucosum Huds.
- Galium verticillatum Danthoine ex Lam.
- Galium verum L.
- Galium × viciosorum Sennen & Pau
- Galium vile (Cham. & Schltdl.) Dempster
- Galium virgatum Nutt.
- Galium viridiflorum Boiss. & Reut.
- Galium viscosum Vahl
- Galium volcanense Dempster
- Galium volhynicum Pobed.
- Galium watsonii (A.Gray) A.Heller
- Galium weberbaueri K.Krause
- Galium wendelboi Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem.
- Galium werdermannii Standl.
- Galium wigginsii Dempster
- Galium wrightii A.Gray
- Galium xeroticum (Klokov) Pobed.
- Galium xylorrhizum Boiss. & A.Huet
- Galium yunnanense H.Hara & C.Y.Wu
- Galium zabense Ehrend.
Historical and Modern Uses
Gallium plants have a long history of human use. In the past, they were employed for a variety of purposes, from medicinal remedies to dyes. For example, Galium verum was used to curdle milk in cheesemaking and to produce a red dye.
Today, while some traditional uses persist, Gallium plants are primarily valued for their ornamental qualities and ecological benefits. Many species attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making them valuable additions to gardens and wildflower meadows.
Cultivating Gallium
Many Gallium species are relatively easy to cultivate, making them a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels. They generally prefer well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions. Some species, like Galium odoratum, thrive in partial shade, while others, like Galium verum, prefer full sun.
It’s important to be mindful of the growth habits of the specific Gallium species you choose. Some, like Galium aparine, can be quite vigorous and may require some management to prevent them from becoming invasive.
Looking Ahead
As I continue to explore the world of Gallium, I’m excited to learn more about the unique properties and potential uses of these often-overlooked plants. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply appreciate the beauty of the natural world, I encourage you to take a closer look at the fascinating genus Gallium. You might be surprised by what you discover.
