SQUINANCYWORT
Asperula cynanchica
Bedstraw [Rubiaceae] 
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Bedstraw [Rubiaceae]
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flower
inner
morph
petals
type
stem
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| A very low plant, found in grassy limestone areas. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Has pinkish white flowers and narrow linear leaves in whorls of four. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Tiny flowers less than 4mm across with four pointed off-white petals which become more pink towards the centre. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Flowers have pinkish red expanding tubes that widen out into four re-curved petals. Sepals short and with points. Stems rough. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Re-curved petals, with four anthers in the middle. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| The pollen seems to be golden. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Petals have irregular edges as if torn. Golden pollen shines within. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Four anthers without pollen. |
| 15th June 2010, Hampsfell, Grange over Sands, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Four narrow linear leaves at each (reddish/brown) node. Stems are square like they are in most Woodruffs. |
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Easily confused with : [a plant of similar name]
Not to be confused with : Subspecies : There are two sub-species; this one, Asperula cynanchica ssp. cynanchica, and a much rarer one called Asperula cynanchica ssp. cynanchica var. densiflora. The examples above are all the first subspecies. Some similarities to : Field Madder which is also pink and also belongs to the same Bedstraw Family, but Field Madder has wider leaves which are in whorls of 4 to 6. Narrow linear leaves in whorls of four up the square stems. The leaves are sometimes of un-equal length. It obtains it name from once being a herb to treat Quinsy (formerly called squinancy) (a bacterial infection of the tonsils often following tonsilitis), but is no longer used medicinally, antibiotics being more appropriate.
ANY TEXT GOES HERE |
 Asperula (Woodruffs) |
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Bedstraw [Rubiaceae]
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