bedstraw

[ bed-straw ]

noun

1. a rubiaceous plant, Galium verum, or some allied species, formerly used as straw for stuffing mattresses.

bedstraw

/ ˈbɛdˌstrɔː /

noun

1. See lady's bedstraw
   any of numerous rubiaceous plants of the genus Galium , which have small white or yellow flowers and prickly or hairy fruits: some species formerly used as straw for beds as they are aromatic when dry See also lady's bedstraw

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedstraw¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; bed, straw

Example Sentences

Here a few grass-blades, there a tiny plant of Sandwort, possibly a Rock Bedstraw, begin to root themselves in the moss.

From Project Gutenberg

Three of the four belong to the Bedstraw genus (Galium), in which the corolla is wheel-shaped.

From Project Gutenberg

It feeds on vine (Vitis vinifera) and yellow bedstraw (Galium verum); also on fuchsia and virginia-creeper (Ampelopsis).

From Project Gutenberg

Its greenish eggs are laid on bedstraw, and in July and August the caterpillars may be found on the same kind of plant.

From Project Gutenberg

It feeds, at night, in August and September, on bedstraw growing in dry places.

From Project Gutenberg