bedstraw

American  

[bed-straw] / ˈbɛdˌstrɔ /

noun

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

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bedstraw British  

/ ˈbɛdˌstrɔː /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of bedstraw

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

Example Sentences

“I come for my mental health,” said Kay Lakey, park steward for Friends of Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, as she cleared blackberry vines and bedstraw Wednesday from a habitat restoration area at the Shoreline park.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2024

Another common name, bedstraw, refers to the one-time practice of including the dried herb when stuffing mattresses.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2023

No matter that I’m allergic to almost everything: resiny hemlocks, sweet clover, vanilla-scented bedstraw and almondy meadowsweet.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2022

He said he wanted to bring the two together, which he accomplished by placing lambs’ hearts under burning bedstraw until the hearts collapse into ashes.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2016

“Hollyhock and tansy; madder and bedstraw . . .” But they fell into no comfortable rhythm and did not rhyme.

From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry