Galium odoratum
| Galium odoratum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 0.5' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Galium odoratum (common name: sweet woodruff)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[1]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[1]. A period of cold stratification helps reduce the germination time. Lots of leafmold in the soil and the shade of trees also improves germination rates.
Division in spring. The plant can also be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established[1]. 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.
Cuttings of soft wood, after flowering, in a frame.
Cultivation: Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[1]. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[1]. This species does not thrive in a hot climate[1]. Prefers a moist calcareous soil[2][3][4]. Dislikes very acid soils[5]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3. This species is very tolerant of atmospheric pollution and grows well in towns[6].
A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[5].
Sweet woodruff is occasionally cultivated in the herb garden for its medicinal and other uses. The dried foliage has the sweet scent of newly mown hay[7].
A very ornamental plant[8] but it spreads rapidly[9] and can be invasive[1]. However, this is rarely to the detriment of other plants since these are normally able to grow through it[1]. It does no harm to any plants more than 60cm tall[6].
Range: Northern and central Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Siberia.
Habitat: Woodland and shady areas[10][4] on damp calcareous and base rich soils[11]. Often found in beech woods[12].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[13]. The leaves are coumarin-scented (like freshly mown hay), they are used as a flavouring in cooling drinks[14][2][15] and are also added to fruit salads etc[16][1]. The leaves are soaked in white wine to make 'Maitrank', an aromatic tonic drink that is made in Alsace[17].
A fragrant and delicious tea is made from the green-dried leaves and flowers[14][16][12]. Slightly wilted leaves are used, the tea has a fresh, grassy flavour[1].
The sweet-scented flowers are eaten or used as a garnish[16].
Medicinal: Sweet woodruff was widely used in herbal medicine during the Middle Ages, gaining a reputation as an external application to wounds and cuts and also taken internally in the treatment of digestive and liver problems[10]. In current day herbalism it is valued mainly for its tonic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory affect[18].
The leaves are antispasmodic, cardiac, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative[2][3][19][1]. An infusion is used in the treatment of insomnia and nervous tension, varicose veins, biliary obstruction, hepatitis and jaundice[2][17]. The plant is harvested just before or as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use[2]. One report says that it should be used with caution[19] whilst another says that it is entirely safe[2]. Excessive doses can produce dizziness and symptoms of poisoning[12].
The dried plant contains coumarins and these act to prevent the clotting of blood - though in excessive doses it can cause internal bleeding[18]. The plant is grown commercially as a source of coumarin, used to make an anticoagulant drug[12]. Do not use this remedy if you are taking conventional medicine for circulatory problems or if you are pregnant[18].
A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries[17]. 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[17].
A homeopathic remedy made from the plant is used in the treatment of inflammation of the uterus[17].
Usage: A red dye is obtained from the root[20].
Soft-tan and grey-green dyes are obtained from the stems and leaves[20].
A good ground-cover plant for growing on woodland edges or in the cool shade of shrubs[21][1]. It spreads rapidly at the roots[9][22][6]. It is an ideal carpeting plant for bulbs to grow through[K].
Although the fresh plant has very little aroma, as it dries it becomes very aromatic with the scent of newly-mown grass and then retains this aroma for years[14][1]. It is used in the linen cupboard to protect from moths etc.[10][4] It was also formerly used as a strewing herb and is an ingredient of pot-pourri[17]. It was also hung up in bunches in the home in order to keep the rooms cool and fragrant during the summertime[7].
Pollinators: Flies, bees, self
Notes: We are growing this on the land, though I do not know if there is enough to supply you with leaves for teas. If not it is quite cheaply available from Hambledon herbs.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Asperula odorata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Knight, F. P.. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society, 1980.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. A Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.