small bedstraw, Galium trifidum

Small indeed. These blossoms are hardly an eighth inch across. But so what? These little things put on their Nikes and "Just do it!". There is hardly a more widespread species in the northern hemisphere. Around the world, and from the Arctic to southern Mexico and the Caribbean. They don't get much attention except from a few grazing waterfowl or mammals and their pollinators. The Ojibwa did use an infusion of this to treat skin problems. Also called three-petal bedstraw, but as you see that's not always right. Here these grow in AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ(E), NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY, all of Canada, on GL and SPM. They're also across Eurasia. Lenawee Co MI, 8/25/14. Madder family, Rubiaceae.