Bermuda Bedstraw GOVERNMENT of BERMUDA Galium Bermudense Department of Environment & Natural Resources Ecology Why Protect This Species?
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Bermuda Protected Species Bermuda Bedstraw /8VERNMENT 8F BERM(DA Galium bermudense Department of Environment & Natural Resources Ecology Why protect this species? Idenficaon Bermuda Bedstraw is protected as it is an indigenous Bermudian species that has become locally rare. The structure of Bermuda1s This low growing perennial is much branched and grows from 6 woodlands has changed over the last 50 years with fast- inches to 2 feet (15-60 cm) in height. Small plants appear as growing invasive species crowding out small na&ves like upright stems, while larger plants appear as tangles of almost Bedstraw in the understory while invasive trees over-shade vine-like stems. The leaves of Bermuda Bedstraw occur in a group of four around the stem. Fine hairs cover the length of them from above. These changes in the woodland community the stem and the leaves. combined with the loss of woodland to development have seriously reduced the abundance of Bedstraw and make it very unlikely that the species will persist and recover unassisted. Range Na&ve to Bermuda the Bahamas and the South Eastern (nited Threats faced by this species include2 States. • 3abitat loss and fragmenta&on : A. Copeland • Current Status Habitat Compe&&on from invasive plants • In 1918 Bri,on wrote that Bermuda Bedstraw was commonly 5ack of awareness leading to accidental destruc&on Na e found on the hillsides of Bermuda. It has since become BPSA: 5evel 3 e.tremely rare. It occurs on grassy or rela&vely open hillsides par&cularly in St. /eorges Somerset and Southampton and in CITES: No coastal forests on South Shore. Bda Red List: EN CMS: No Reproducon and Life Cycle Bedstraw produces greenish-white 0owers from spring to Author: autumn which occur at the &p of branches. The 0ower is followed by a rounded two-part fruit that turns dark purplish- Alison Copeland black when ripe. This species can be propagated from seed. Biodiversity 89cer Re ised: April 2016 : N.5 Bri,on 1918 Bermuda Protected Species Bermuda Bedstraw /8VERNMENT 8F BERM(DA Galium bermudense Department of Environment & Natural Resources What is being done to conserve it? Join a conser aon group: such as the Bermuda Na&onal Trust or the Bermuda Audubon Society to protect habitats. Protected Species Act Lisng: Level 3 Control in asi e plant species 2 Invasive plants should be I)CN Red List: Not assessed. managed in places where specimens of this plant occur so that Reco ery Plan: Bermuda Bedstraw is included in the 2009 they do not become overwhelmed by other vegeta&on. Control Recovery Plan for eight species of flowering plants. invasive species on your property to stop them spreading. Research: distribu&on mapping for this species has been undertaken and gene&c barcoding is also underway. Informaon sources Habitat Protecon: A key habitat of Bermuda Bedstraw became a protected area with the crea&on of the Vesey Nature To learn more please visit2 www.environment.bm Reserve by the Buy Back Bermuda campaign. Propagaon 2 Bermuda Bedstraw is being propagated from Bri,on N.5. 1918. Flora of Bermuda. Charles ScribnerBs Sons : Alison Copeland seed for sale to the public and plan&ng of this species for New Cork. ornamental use as well as part of woodland restora&on proAects is being promoted. Sarkis S. 2009. Recovery Plan for eight species of 0owering plants Carex bermudiana, Peperomia septentrionalis, Phaseolus lignosus, Erigeron darrellianus, Galium bermudense, Protec e legislaon Chiococca alba, Hypericum hypericoides, Psychotria ligustrifolia in Bermuda. Dept. of Conserva&on Services Protected Species Act (2003) /overnment of Bermuda pp.28. What you can do? Plant: purchase this na&ve plant for your home garden or woodland restora&on proAect. It makes an a,rac&ve hanging For Further Informaon basket. #17 North Shore Road, Flatt’s, FL04, Bermuda (441) 293 2727. Learn: understand how destruc&on of habitat leads to loss of www.environment.bm endangered and threatened species and BermudaBs plant and animal diversity. Tell others what you have learned. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on the knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. .