Sumpf-Labkraut vs Heide-Labkraut

Galium palustre compared with Galium pumilum

Key Differences

• Sumpf-Labkraut is Least Concern while Heide-Labkraut is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Sumpf-Labkraut	Heide-Labkraut
Kingdom same	Plantae (Pflanzen)	Plantae (Pflanzen)
Phylum same	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class same	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order same	Gentianales (Enzianartige)	Gentianales (Enzianartige)
Family same	Rubiaceae	Rubiaceae
Genus same	Galium	Galium
Species	Galium palustre	Galium pumilum

Evolutionary Relationship

Sumpf-Labkraut and Heide-Labkraut share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Galium.

Conservation Status

Sumpf-Labkraut

LC — Least Concern

Heide-Labkraut

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Sumpf-Labkraut	Heide-Labkraut
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Sumpf-Labkraut

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (8 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and Oceania and the Pacific (Australia).

Heide-Labkraut

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Sumpf-Labkraut

<em>Galium palustre</em>, the common marsh bedstraw, is a scrambling herbaceous plant in the family Rubiaceae, distributed across Europe, North America, and Oceania. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species typically grows in wetland habitats including fens, marshes, wet meadows, ditches, and the margins of rivers and ponds, where it climbs through taller vegetation using tiny hooked bristles on its stems and leaves. Common marsh bedstraw produces small, white, four-petalled flowers in loose clusters during summer months. Like other members of the genus Galium, its stems are distinctively square in cross-section. The plant plays a modest role in wetland ecosystems, providing cover for invertebrates and contributing to the structural complexity of marginal vegetation. Its widespread distribution across three continents and tolerance for a range of wetland conditions contribute to its secure conservation status. The species has limited documented economic uses but is ecologically representative of healthy freshwater marginal habitats.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 6 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇮 Finland 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States