Galium boreale
 
Northern Bedstraw

Middle Leaf Whorl Top

Centre Block, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
18-July-2012

Technically, two of the four "leaves" comprising the whorl are foliaceous stipules.  However, it is difficult to tell which is a true leaf and which is a stipule.  Note that each leaf/stipule has three prominent nerves.

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Boreale: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species.
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stem stiff, erect; NOT [stem weak, matted or ascending]

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principal stem leaves in whorls of 4; NOT [principal stem leaves in whorls of 6 or 8]

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leaves 3-nerved; NOT [leaves 1-nerved]

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ovary bristly or hairy; NOT [ovary glabrous]

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fruit bristly or hairy; NOT [fruit glabrous]

 

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Galium: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 
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stems square

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leaves whorled; NOT [leaves opposite]

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inflorescence of open cymes; NOT [inflorescence a head, subtended by bracts]

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corolla rotate; NOT [corolla slender-funnelform]

 

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Rubiaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 
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herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

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plants green or with some chlorophyll; NOT [plants parasitic or saprophytic, with chlorophyll]

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plants without milky juice; NOT [plants often with milky juice]

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not climbing plants; NOT [climbing plants with tendrils]

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leaves opposite; NOT [leaves basal or alternate]

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leaves with stipules, appearing whorled; NOT [leaves without stipules]

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flowers NOT in heads or spikes; NOT [flowers in long or short spikes], NOT [flowers in heads or in form resembling a head]