Blood and Wine

Local species of the tribe Stellateae

Following the article "Galiosinase in the Shoots of Stellateae", appended, I am investigating the following species.

1. Cleavers: Galium aparine
2. Hedge Bedstraw: Galium mollugo
3. Woodruff: Galium odorata

I am gathering and drying both the first two above and storing separately their leaves and stems. In the case of cleavers the stem seems to have more coumarin as it makes a slightly reddish-brown brew and tastes distinctly rich.

Since finding info on 'coumarin' see link above, I am will be looking out for 'Woodruff' whilst Mullein. mullein does grow here.

 
Hedge Bedstraw: Galium mollugo Easily reaching 4 feet on occasion.

Glycosidase Galiosinase in the Shoots of Stellateae
A. R. TRIM Biochemical Laboratory Cambridge

. . .
3. The distribution of the enzyme in the shoots of 14 species of Stellateae, representing genera, has been investigated.
4. In the leaves and stem galiosinase occurs in high concentrations in the cambium and in lower concentrations in the developing phloem and xylem.
5. In some parts of the stem near the base of the shoot and at the nodes the enzyme may also occur in the medulla and cortex.
6. When galiosinase occurs outside the cambium it may be accompanied by its specific substrates, the glucoside and primveroside of purpurin-3-carboxylic acid.
7. In the parts which accumulate the purpurin-3-carboxylic acid glycosides there is an approximately direct proportionality between the concentrations of enzyme and glycoside.
8. When kept in water for a few days the excised leaves and stems of some species produce large amounts of galiosinase.
9. The formation of enzyme in excised parts is closely followed by the accumulation of purpunn-3-carboxylic acid glycosides.
. . .