Smooth Bedstraw Identification Control and Impact on Pastures

By Andi Anderson

Smooth bedstraw (Galium mollugo) has become a growing concern in Ohio pastures and hayfields. Also known as chicken weed, false baby’s breath, or wild madder, this perennial plant originates from Eurasia and was once introduced as an ornamental. Today, it is widely established across eastern Ohio and scattered in other regions of the state.

This weed thrives in gravelly or sandy loam soils and can persist in fields, pastures, lawns, riverbanks, and roadsides. Smooth bedstraw forms sprawling mats with wiry, four-angled stems that grow upright at first but eventually spread and tangle.

Its leaves are bright green, linear, and arranged in whorls of six to eight per node. White, four-petaled flowers appear from June through August in branched clusters. Reproduction occurs both through seeds and underground rhizomes, making it difficult to eliminate once established.

Smooth bedstraw can be distinguished from other bedstraws by its unique combination of white flowers and eight leaves per node on main stems. Unlike catchweed bedstraw, which is prickly and annual, smooth bedstraw is smooth and perennial, allowing it to spread year after year.

Farmers often ask whether this plant is harmful to livestock. Research shows smooth bedstraw is not toxic, and livestock generally avoid grazing it. However, its presence in hayfields reduces forage quality and productivity.

For control, both cultural and chemical approaches can be used. Good soil fertility, proper pH management, and frequent mowing help suppress bedstraw populations.

Chemical control options such as Chaparral, Crossbow, GrazonNext HL, Milestone, and Surmount provide 90–100% control, while glyphosate offers 80–90% effectiveness. Always follow pesticide labels carefully, as they are legally binding.

Beyond its agronomic impact, smooth bedstraw has interesting folklore. Its genus name Galium comes from the Greek word for milk, linked to its historical use in curdling milk for cheese. The plant was once used for mattress stuffing, and legend suggests it was placed in the manger at Bethlehem.

Managing smooth bedstraw requires persistence, but with proper mowing, fertility, and targeted herbicides, producers can protect pasture health and forage quality.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour