Botanical Name: Galium gracile
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Rubioideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Tribe: Rubieae
Genus: Galium
Habitat:
Grows wild along village outskirts and grassy thickets along ditches.
Description:
Galium gracile is a perennial herb growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). Stem; slender and fine, upper section erect, base frequently prostrate. Leaves; elliptical and small, 4-whorled to each node. Flowers; in summer, axillary, flower pedicel appearing with fine and small light-yellow flowers, the corolla 4- parted. Fruit; small grains.
The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile.
Cultivation: Galium gracile prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun. This species does not thrive in a hot climate.
Edible Uses: Leaves are eaten – raw or cooked.
Medicinal Uses:
The whole plant is anodyne, antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses, bloody and mucoid dysentery, gonorrhoea, ‘red’ and ‘white’ discharge (bloody and mucous discharge), cancerous tumours and infantile marismus. Both Asperuloside (a terpenoid) and Coumarin (a benzopyrone) occur in some species of Galium. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry.
Other Uses: A red dye is obtained from the root.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galium
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Galium+gracile
