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. 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

“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

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

From Seattle Times

Others were not so: the golden plumes of lady’s bedstraw, or the yellow-and-white buttons of the kidney vetch, or a tiny lemon yellow viola hiding within the tapestry.

From Washington Post

These include tufted vetch, bugle, tormentil, red clover, lady's bedstraw, white campion and greater knapweed.

From BBC

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