Swamp Bedstraw (Galium brevipes)

Life history

Species overview

Swamp Bedstraw (Galium brevipes), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in southern sedge meadows, black spruce-white cedar swamps, and moist swales behind dunes, fens, and low sandy woods. Blooming occurs from July through September. The optimal identification period for this species is late July through September.

Synonyms: Galium trifidum ssp. brevipes

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Distinguished from the similar G. trifidum by the pedicels, which are smooth (not scabrous) and short (1 to 4 mm long vs. 7 to 18 mm long)
• Flower characteristics: Flowers small, white, borne mostly singly on short (1 to 4 mm long) pedicels that are recurved at the tip; petals 3.
• Fruit characteristics: Fruit glabrous, the segments divergent and nearly distinct at maturity, 1 mm long.
• Leaf characteristics: Leaves in whorls of 4, linear, 3 to 7 mm long, blunt at tip.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: July through September
• Fruiting phenology:
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is late July through September

Other

• Growth form: Forb-weakly erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: variable, includes Fagus grandidentata, Pinus spp., Tsuga canadensis, Acer rubrum, Picea mariana, Thuja occidentalis, Eleocharis intermedia, Hypericum boreale.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Swamp Bedstraw (Galium brevipes). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in southern sedge meadows, black spruce-white cedar swamps, and moist swales behind dunes, fens, and low sandy woods.
• Soils: Moist soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Swamp Bedstraw. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Swamp Bedstraw. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid disturbance near wet areas such as small ponds or swales in wooded areas where this species has been reported.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.
• Survey for and control invasive plants prior to conducting timber operations, as these can be spread by vehicles and often respond vigorously to increased light; see forestry BMPs for invasive species.
• Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques which open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species.

Other resources

Links to additional Swamp Bedstraw information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use