Oregon Bedstraw: Galium oreganum (Synonym: Galium kamtschaticum var. oreganum)

Photo at right of Oregon bedstraw from Rd N68, about 8-10 miles WNW of Grassy Knoll Trail, Gifford Pinchot N.F.........June 30, 1990.

Characteristics:

Oregon bedstraw is a perennial with erect or spreading (lax) stems which may root at the nodes. When erect, it may arise from 10-40 cm high. The herbage is smooth, with 5-8 whorls of 4 ovate to elliptic leaves, with hairs along the margins and 3 main veins. The leaves are each 1.5-5 cm long and 0.5- 3.3 cm wide.

The inflorescence is terminal from the upper leaf axils. It is 6-18 flowered and somewhat cymose. The corollas are 4-petalled, 4 mm wide, and greenish white in color.

Habitat:

Oregon bedstraw is found from the coast to about 5000' in the mountains. It is a plant of moist woods and meadows.

Range:

Oregon bedstraw is found west of the Cascade Mts. in Oregon and Washington.

In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 800'-4400' from the west end of the gorge to approximately as far east as the Little White Salmon River.