Galium gracile

Physical Characteristics

Galium gracile is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[62].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiphlogistic Depurative Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge The whole plant is anodyne, antiphlogistic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge[147]. 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[147]. 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[238].

Known Hazards

None known