West Highland Flora

Galium boreale

Photo © Carl Farmer
9 Jun 2003 Glenvarragill, Skye

Widespread but local on rock ledges, damp stony ground and stream banks, from sea-level to high in hills

Flower diameter c 2.5-4 mm.  Stems up to 45 cm high.

ID: Leaves in whorls of 4, with 3 prominent veins

Other features: Usually hairless like other Bedstraws, but in the mountains often downy on stems and leaves.  Fruits have hooked bristles.  The only Skye bedstraw that has a fixed number of leaves per whorl rather than a range such as 6-8.  Some plants of Marsh B have most leaves in 4's, but its leaves are 1-veined.