yellow bedstraw, Galium verum

In times past, bedstraws were used to stuff mattresses. The aroma was believed to keep fleas away. Yellow bedstraw is a little more robust than most Galium, tending to form large natural mats. It's not hard to imagine it being used in mattresses. You can still find extracts of this for sale. It is believed to be highly effective in treating hyperthyroidism, and somewhat effective for anemia and other needs. But I suspect it is not really an effective aphrodisiac. Aphrodisiacs as mattresses? Interesting thought! Yellow bedstraw is an Eurasian that has now been reported from CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, and GL. Wayne Co MI, 7/4/11. Madder family, Rubiaceae.