Galium mollugo

Galium mollugo

False baby’s breath or Wild Madder (Galium mollugo L.) is a perennial herbaceous species belonging to the Rubiaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta Division,
Magnoliopsida class,
Gentianales Order,
Rubiaceae family,
Subfamily Rubioideae,
Rubieae tribe,
Genus Galium,
G. mollugo species.
The terms are synonymous:
– Galium erectum Huds .;
– Galium mollugo subsp. erectum (Huds.) Briq .;
– Galium mollugo var. erectum (Huds.) Domin;
– Rubia mollugo (L.) Baillon.
There are some subspecies of which in Italy are found:
– Galium mollugo subsp. erectum Syme – White rennet, distinguished by a corolla Ø 3 ÷ 5 mm; flower peduncles generally shorter than the diameter of the corolla; dense inflorescence with more or less erect branches and peduncles after flowering;
– Galium mollugo L. subsp. mollugo – Tyrolean rennet, distinguished by corolla Ø 2 ÷ 3 mm; flower peduncles longer than the diameter of the corolla and very wide apart; sharply narrowed leaves pointed at the apex and wide inflorescence, patent branches after flowering;
– Galium mollugo subsp. pycnotrichum (Heinr. Braun) O. Schwarz – Densely velvety rennet, which is distinguished by the shape of the leaves with the widest part over the middle of the leaf, towards the apex which is sharply pointed.

Etymology –
The term Galium comes from the Greek γάλα gála latte: because some species belonging to this genus were used to curdle milk.
The specific mollugo epithet comes from mollugo, a species of anagallide mentioned by Pliny.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Galium mollugo is a widely distributed plant in Europe and North Africa, from Denmark, Portugal and Morocco in the east to the Altay region of Siberia and the Caucasus. moreover, this species is naturalized in the Russian Far East, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Greenland, Argentina, Uruguay and most of North America.
In some areas of North America it is considered a weed.
In Italy it is a species present with three subspecies in all regions except Sicily; the nominal subspecies is present in almost all the regions of northern Italy and in those of the Adriatic coast of the Peninsula. The regional distribution is rather incomplete and tends to be of the alpine-karst type, with some stations also in the lower Friuli plain;
Its habitat is that of hedges, bushes, paths, meadows and slopes at an altitude of up to 2,100 meters above sea level. It prefers fresh loamy-clay soils but sometimes subarid in summer, quite rich in bases and nitrogen compounds, from neutral to subacid.

Description –
Galium mollugo is a perennial, herbaceous plant, with rooting stolons at the nodes, glabrous, glabrescent or hairy especially in the lower part.
The stems are tetragonal, drooping or prostrate, erect or ascending, with larger internodes than the leaves, branching 1 ÷ 2 branches per node, reddish when young; height 30 ÷ 150 cm.
The leaves are sessile, united in whorls composed of 6 ÷ 8 elements, the stipules are the same as the leaves; lamina from oval-lanceolate to linear lanceolate and narrow at the apex with arista or with obtuse apex; green or greyish-green in color, uninervie, with a more or less flat surface, glabrous on both sides, slightly leathery, with rough edges, rarely smooth.
The inflorescences are formed by paniculiform, ovoid or pyramidal tops; the flowers are tetramer, gamopetal with sub-zero tube, have a glabrous, white 2 ÷ 6 mm corolla, with ovate, acute, apicular lobes; the pedicels> or <of the Ø of the corolla.
The stamens are 4 inserted on the corolline tube the anthers are yellow, the ovary is inferior formed by 2 carpels, a stylus with capitate stigma.
The schizocarpic fruit is an achenario, with two 1-1.5 mm mericarps (achenes), ellipsoid, reddish-brown, glabrous, wrinkled.

Cultivation –
False baby’s breath is a plant that prefers a moist and loose in dim light. It tolerates dry soils but the leaves burn quickly in full sun and, what’s more, this species does not thrive in a hot climate.
Propagation is by seed with sowing to be carried out on site, as soon as this is ripe, at the end of summer. The seed can also be sown in spring, although it can be very slow to germinate.
Propagation can also occur by division in spring or during the growing season if the plants are kept well watered.
In this case the larger clumps can be replanted directly into their permanent locations, although it is best to arrange the smaller clumps and grow them in a cold greenhouse until they root well, then transplant them in the spring.

Customs and Traditions –
Galium mollugo is a plant that can be used for both food and medicinal purposes.
The leaves can be eaten, preferably cooked.
In medicinal use, the plant appears to be vulnerable. In folk medicine it is used for its purifying effects, it is used to strengthen the functioning of the kidneys and the lymphatic system.
According to some local customs it is said to be useful for improving mood. Naturopathy believes that it cleanses and stimulates the lymphatic system and is useful for treating wounds, kidney stones and as a diuretic food.
The plant is also used in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria.
Galium mollugo, like several species of the genus, contains asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of freshly mown hay when the plant dries up.
Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and act on blood vessels and uterine functions), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry.
The plant also contains glycosides, a reduced amount of alkaloids, tannins and essential oils.
Among other uses, it should be remembered that the plant contains an enzyme that is also found in rennet, which is used to make cheese (hence the name).
Furthermore, a red dye is obtained from the root.

Preparation Method –
From Galium mollugo you can eat the sprouts of the plant, the seeds, as well as the flowers raw and have purifying effects.
Young shoots are added to salads, vegetable dishes, jellies, drinks or desserts. these can be prepared as spinach, as a salad base, or added to blends of herbs, pesto, and revitalizing juices and drinks. Flowers are usually added to salads, and delicious puddings can be made from their juice. Another option is to germinate the seeds and eat the sprouts.
The leaves of this plant can be eaten cooked and, moreover, the whole plant is used in the medical field for various applications and in this sense the more tender tops are used above all.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.