Galium gracile

Bunge.

Rubiaceae Edible: Leaves

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GBIF

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considerthelilies

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katrinsgarten

Description

Galium gracile is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked.

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiphlogistic Depurative Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge. The whole plant is anodyne, antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, bloody and mucoid dysentery, gonorrhoea, 'red' and 'white' discharge (bloody and mucous discharge), cancerous tumours and infantile marismus. Both Asperuloside (a terpenoid) and Coumarin (a benzopyrone) occur in some species of Galium. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Where It Grows

Coming Soon

Cultivation

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun. This species does not thrive in a hot climate.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate. This plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself. Division in spring or throughout the growing season if the plants are kept well watered. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.