Sunday, February 17, 2019

Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw)


Considered a rare species throughout the UK, but very common locally on Hutton Roof and is recorded throughout the complex. A beautiful plant which can be seen in small areas set between limestone, and very frequent colonising on old anthills. Normally flowering in June and July, the flower is white, but quickly becomes cream with ageing.




Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw)
Photo: 20th May 2020 - Hutton Roof


Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw) Click over to enlarge)

Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: taken 31st May 2017

Here shows a early example of Galium sterneri which start coming through from middle of May

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Establish between 'sterneri' and 'saxatile'
(glass required)


Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw) - click over to enlarge

This sketch above is a excellent example of a indicator to establish whether the flora is of the Galium sterneri family.  If the small hairs on the side of the leaves are going backwards towards the centre then this confirms it to be Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw) but if the hairs were to be going forward and away from the centre then this would indicate it belonged to the family of Galium saxatile (Heath Bedstraw) in 90% of cases on Hutton Roof it will be 'sterneri'



Top part is Limestone Bedstraw Bottom is Heath Bedstraw

Photo: 22nd June 2019 Hutton Roof


Top part is Limestone Bedstraw Bottom is Heath Bedstraw
Photo: 22nd June 2019 Hutton Roof