Lady's Bedstraw
Galium verum
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Lady's Bedstraw covers the fixed dune grassland at Ainsdale in July with a foam of tiny golden-yellow flowers. The honey-sweet scent is carried on warm breezes. Historically used to stuff mattresses (hence 'bedstraw') and also used to curdle milk in cheese-making. The whorls of very narrow leaves are characteristic. It's one of the most abundant wildflowers of the Sefton Coast dune grassland and a key nectar source for many insects.
At a Glance
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Habitat | Fixed dune grassland · Dune scrub edge · Calcareous grassland |
| UK population | Common throughout Britain on calcareous and sandy grassland |
| Sefton Coast | Abundant on fixed dune grassland throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Fixed dune grassland and scrub edges throughout Ainsdale and Formby. One of the most abundant dune wildflowers.
Identification
Sprawling plant forming dense mats. Whorls of 8–12 very narrow, dark green leaves. Dense clusters of tiny, golden-yellow four-petalled flowers in July. Honey scent. Forms bright yellow patches in dune grassland.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk any fixed dune grassland in July — the golden-yellow mats are unmistakeable. Get close to smell the honey fragrance.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lady's Bedstraw used in cheese-making?
Lady's Bedstraw contains rennet-like enzymes that curdle milk, and was used across Europe as a vegetarian substitute for animal rennet in cheese-making. It's still used in some traditional Cheshire-area cheese recipes. The yellow pigments in the flowers have also been used as a dye, producing yellow and red colours depending on the mordant used.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.