Galium palustre, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 21

16. G. palustre L. , Sp. PI. 105 (1753) .

Stems (5-)15-70(-80) cm, slender, procumbent to erect, smooth or usually more or less retrorsely aculeolate on the scarcely whitish angles. Middle cauline leaves 5-20 x 1-3 mm, in whorls of 4-6, narrowly to broadly oblanceolate, obtuse, more or less patent; margin more or less flat, often rough. Inflorescence many-flowered, cylindrical; partial inflorescences rather dense; pedicels 1-4 mm, slightly elongating after anthesis, divaricate in fruit. Flowers (3)4- merous; corolla (1 -5—)2—3(—3-5) mm in diameter. Fruit 2-3 mm, more or less smooth. 2л = 24, 48. Wet places. Almost throughout Europe. All except?A1 Az?B1 Cr?Rs (K) Sb?Tu.

Variable, closely related to 17, and connected with it by intermediates.