Lot Location: 6.7
Galium verum also known as Lady's Bedstraw, Cheese Rennet is a relative to Sweet Woodruff
This versatile plant was an old world favorite. It has been used historically as a strewing herb to help create a good scent in houses or barns when a pleasant scent was desired. It was also used to stuff mattresses and pillows. It could be used as a rennet substitute to curdle milk in order to create cheese. It was also used as a dye plant: with the flowers dying foods yellow or the roots being used to create a red dye. As a medicinal plant, it was said to enhance the lymphatic and urinary systems.
The qualities and prevalence it had historically is very fascinating and worth researching further if history and plants and their intersection interests you.
It grows vigorously. This worries some who fear it may become invasive. Unlike some of its relatives, its long and slender stems do not have the velcro-like tendency to stick to clothing. Since it cannot stick to clothing, it relies on seed dispersal and its root rhyzomes to propagate.
It blooms profusely with tiny cheery yellow flowers which seem to be a favorite among pollinators.
IF NOT IN MINNESOTA, THIS PLANT MAY BE CONSIDERED A NOXIOUS WEED. In Minnesota, whereas it has been known to naturalize, there is little indication that it will be put on the noxious weed list.
Height: 1-2.5'
Soil: Poor soils, moist
Exposure: Sun to part shade