yellow bedstraw

7.5

A common plant with small yellow flowers that lives many years

noun
/ˈjɛloʊ ˈbɛdstrɔ/

: galega amarilla

She identified the wildflower as yellow bedstraw because of its tiny yellow blossoms.

Examples

In herbal medicine, yellow bedstraw has been used for centuries for its reputed properties.
The field was covered with bright clusters of yellow bedstraw.
Look at the lovely yellow bedstraw by the path!
The yellow bedstraw bloomed beautifully in the garden.
She identified the wildflower as yellow bedstraw because of its tiny yellow blossoms.
The field was covered with bright clusters of yellow bedstraw.
Look at the lovely yellow bedstraw by the path!

Synonyms

Our Lady's bedstraw

vsyellow bedstraw

9.9

A wild meadow plant with many small yellow flowers and a sweet smell

has identical meaning but uses a different common name

Galium verum

vsyellow bedstraw

Specialized

9.9

A low plant with many small yellow flowers that grows in meadows

is the same species but reported as found in North America instead of northern Africa

Surface Forms

yellow bedstraw singular

yellow bedstraws plural

Morphology

yellow + bedstraw

This is a straightforward adjective + noun combination: 'yellow' simply describes the color of the noun 'bedstraw', so the phrase denotes the yellow variety of that plant. Although 'bedstraw' is a relatively rare lexical item, the compositional pattern is transparent and predictable for learners who know both constituent meanings.

Etymology

Yellow bedstraw is named for the plant's small yellow flowers and an old use in beds: people once used the soft stems and flowers to fill mattresses, so bedstraw means a 'plant for beds'. That's why the name tells you both the plant's color and its traditional use.