cleavers

Cleavers, also known as Galium aparine, is a slender annual or short-lived perennial herb in the family Rubiaceae. It is commonly called sticky weed, catchweed bedstraw, or goosegrass. The plant forms tangled, sprawling stems that climb by means of tiny hooked hairs. Leaves are arranged in whorls of typically six to eight narrow, green leaflets. Small, pale greenish-white flowers appear in loose clusters from late spring to early summer. The fruit is a small, spherical burr that readily adheres to fur, clothing, and fabrics.

Cleavers are native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia and have become widespread in North America and other temperate zones. They favor moist, nutrient-rich soils in partial shade, often found in hedgerows, woodland edges, gardens, and waste places. The species can form a dense, ground-hugging mat that can smother low-growing vegetation.

Ecology and reproduction: The hooked plant hairs enable cleavers to cling to animals and humans, facilitating dispersal. The flowers are insect-pollinated, and seeds ripen in summer, with many remaining viable in the soil for several years.

Uses and notes: In traditional herbal medicine, cleavers has been used as a diuretic and to support lymphatic function, though scientific evidence is limited. It is generally regarded as a weed in cultivated areas. Some individuals may experience skin irritation from contact. The plant belongs to the broader bedstraw group, a name associated with several Galium species historically used to stuff mattresses.