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bedstraw
noun
bed·straw
ˈbed-ˌstrȯ
: 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
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Word History
Etymology
from its use for mattresses
First Known Use
1527, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near bedstraw
Cite this Entry
“Bedstraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedstraw. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
bedstraw
noun
bed·straw
-ˌstrȯ
: any of several herbs related to madder and having squarish stems and small flowers
More from Merriam-Webster on bedstraw
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bedstraw
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