bedstraw

noun

bed·​straw ˈbed-ˌstrȯ How to pronounce bedstraw (audio)
: any of a genus (Galium) of herbs of the madder family having squarish stems, whorled leaves, and small flowers

Examples of bedstraw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Flu-busting bedstraw. Jessica Prupas, National Geographic, 30 Nov. 2020 Rescue grass, bedstraw, dandelions, thistle, henbit and annual bluegrass are common. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2022 The most effective treatment to reduce the impact of bedstraw stickers is to rake up the sticky brown wads of the plant that still are setting in the shrub border and the edge of the lawn. Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 7 May 2021 If the weeds that cause the most problems are broadleafs like bedstraw and henbit, select a product that targets broadleaf weeds. Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 3 Sep. 2020 The result is that broadleaf weeds such as henbit, chickweed, thistle, bedstraw and dandelions are prospering. Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 20 Feb. 2020 Others were not so: the golden plumes of lady's bedstraw, or the yellow-and-white buttons of the kidney vetch, or a tiny lemon yellow viola hiding within the tapestry. Adrian Higgins, chicagotribune.com, 18 Oct. 2019 Others were not so: the golden plumes of lady’s bedstraw, or the yellow-and-white buttons of the kidney vetch, or a tiny lemon yellow viola hiding within the tapestry. Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2019 This week in the garden To reduce or prevent the germination of winter weeds such as bedstraw, thistle, dandelion, beggar’s lice, rescue grass, henbit, and annual bluegrass apply a pre-emergent herbicide such as Dimension, Amaze, or XL now. Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, 30 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bedstraw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from its use for mattresses

First Known Use

1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedstraw was in 1527

Dictionary Entries Near bedstraw

Cite this Entry

“Bedstraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedstraw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bedstraw

noun
bed·​straw -ˌstrȯ How to pronounce bedstraw (audio)
: any of several herbs related to madder and having squarish stems and small flowers

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