What a square

Galium boreale, June 30, 2023

Common & scientific name

Northern bedstraw, Galium boreale

Family

Madder, Rubiaceae

Location

Aspen grove below Highway 82, 8,600’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

Northern bedstraw’s four-petaled leaves, square stems, and groups of four leaves attached directly to the stem, evenly spaced like a spoke of wheels (“whorled”), make it unmistakeable. It is sweet-smelling and edible.

July 12, 2023