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Electronic Flora of South Australia species Fact Sheet

Family: Rubiaceae
Galium gaudichaudii

Citation: DC., Prod. 4:607 (1830).

Synonymy: G. axiriorum F. Muell. ex Miq., Nederl. Kruidk. Arch. 4:113 (1856).

Common name: Rough bedstraw.

Description:
Perennial with usually many little-branched stems up to 30 cm long from a somewhat woody base, stiffly erect to decumbent or prostrate; stems quadrangular, rarely terete later, with long spreading hairs below and/ or with short recurred hairs above, rarely glabrous but always with some bristles or papillae on the node or the leaf sheath; leaves and stipules equal, in whorls of 4, linear to linear-lanceolate, 3-12 mm long, acute and if with a terminal bristle it is similar to the few spreading ones on the upper surface and especially along the usually strongly recurred margin, usually stiffly erect.

Inflorescences axillary, usually 2 per node each with 1 to rarely 3 flowers, with peduncles short or absent and more or less hidden by the subtending leaves; corolla yellowish-green.

Fruit 1.5-2.5 mm long, with 2 broadly reniform mericarps touching one another, each finely granulate but often also ruminate; fruiting pedicels often slightly nodding.

Published illustration: Cochrane et al. (1968) Flowers and plants of Victoria, fig. 215.

Distribution:    W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.

Conservation status: native

Flowering time: Aug. — Dec.


SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: G. gaudichaudii is, next to G. migrans, the most common species in S.Aust. and varies from delicate little-branched annuals to densely tufted perennials with a somewhat woody tap root. It is distinguished by its almost sessile flowers and fruit being often clasped by the subtending linear leaves and its internodes which are usually 10-20 mm long at least on some parts of the plants.

Author: Not yet available


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