Galium circaezans, common name licorice bedstraw or wild licorice, is a plant species in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to the eastern half of the United States from the Great Plains to the Atlantic, plus Quebec and Ontario.

It is easily distinguished from other Galium species by the broad, hairy leaves whorled in 4s, the sparsely branched, few-flowered clusters of greenish/yellowish flowers, and the densely bristly fruits.

flowers with yellow-white petals, all of them borne on pedicels, and leaf blades 10-30 mm long (vs. G. circaezans, with flowers with green-purple petals, some of them borne sessile along the branches, and leaf blades 20-50 mm long).

Galium circaezans, commonly called wild white licorice or forest bedstraw, is a somewhat weedy, herbaceous perennial or subshrub of the madder family that grows to 1-2’ tall and slowly spreads by creeping rhizomes.

Galium circaezans Madder family (Rubiaceae) Description: This perennial wildflower is ¾–2' tall with erect to ascending stems. These stems are sometimes branched at the base, otherwise they are unbranched (except when axillary inflorescences are present). The stems are light green, 4-angled, and glabrous to sparsely hairy.

Galium circaezans Michx. Rubiaceae Juss. - Madder family P.

The flowers of Galium circaezans are tiny and greenish, and the fruits are covered with hooked hairs. These little bristles anchor the fruits in fur and clothing, serving as a dispersal mechanism and a nuisance to hikers.

Gallium circaezans is a perennial wildflower in the plant family Rubiaceae. It is found throughout Missouri woodlands and from the central United States eastward and up into Canada.

Galium circaezans, commonly known as wild licorice or licorice bedstraw, is a perennial herb in the Rubiaceae family. It is native to temperate regions of North America, often found in woodlands and shaded areas.

Apr 14, 2023 · Leaves up to 1.25" long and half as wide, per Wildflowers of the Southern Mountains (Smith, 1998). Leaves ovate to elliptic, acute, sparsely hispidulous [w stiff minute hairs], per Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968). Fruit bristly, dry not fleshy, per Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968).