Galium

Here you see the area where todays image was taken.  Galium plants grow among the rest, sprwling over and supported by their neighbors.  Galium has a long history in medicine and culture. It was used to treat hoarseness, and also as horse medicine.  The Ojibwa used it as a love charm.  The matted dried stems were good for starting fires.  Cowlitz Indian women used it as a bath to make them successful in love.  Others used it to treat STDs.  The roots of some species produce red dye.

The yellow flowers seen here are Ohio goldenrod.