Smooth Bedstraw: Pretty to Look At, Problematic in the Pasture
As planting season quickly approaches, weeds are plotting their own entrance to the fields. Often an afterthought, experts say smooth bedstraw is a weed to keep an eye on.
Smooth Bedstraw, or False Baby’s Breath, has been a problematic weed in northeastern United States pastures. In states like Wisconsin, Smooth Bedstraw is primarily found growing along roadsides and woodland edges.
Anne Pearce of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s First Detector Network says the invasive species is easy to spot.
Smooth Bedstraw key characteristics:
1. Squared, smooth stems—as opposed to other straws that have rough stems
2. Smooth, whirled leaves that are stacked in 6 to 8 leaf groups
3. Large clusters of small, white flowers with four petals
For more on Smooth Bedstraw, visit the Wisconsin First Detector Network.
