// SPECIES PROFILE · SHRUB · NATIVE

Licorice bedstraw

Galium circaezans

Licorice bedstraw (Galium circaezans) is a shrub in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 2b–11b. Mature size 6"–2'. Blooms Jun–Aug.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: shrub
Native range: Native to 36 U.S. states, including AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL…
USDA hardiness: Zones 2b–11b
Mature size: 6"–2'
Sun: —
Water: —
Bloom: Jun–Aug
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

Licorice bedstraw (Galium circaezans) — *Galium circaezans* — Licorice bedstraw. Photo by Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 261. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Licorice bedstraw (Galium circaezans) is a shrub in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, MO, OK. Hardy in zones 2b–11b. Mature size 6"–2'. Blooms Jun–Aug.

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, licorice bedstraw pairs naturally with: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), False Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa), New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus), Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra).