CLEAVERS Galium aparine

a.k.a. Bedstraw, Clivers, Goosegrass, Stickywilly, Stickyweed, Catchweed, Robin-run-the-hedge and Coachweed

Cleavers is a native annual with square stems and short, bristly downward pointing hooks on stem corners; rough, hairy leaves grow in whorls of 6 to 8; hooked, burr-like seeds produced in pairs.

A weak-stemmed, reclining plant with backward-booked bristles on stems and leaves, and clusters of 1-3 (usually 2) very small white flowers on stalks rising from whorled leaf axils.

The common name is appropriate since the bristles cause the stems, leaves, and fruits to cleave to clothes and the fur of animals. The fact that geese eat the plants accounts for the other common name. The plants are also known as Bedstraws since the pleasant smelling foliage of a yellow-flowered species (G. verum), was used to stuff mattresses in medieval times.

The long stems of this climbing plant sprawl over the ground and other plants, reaching heights of 1-1.5 m, occasionally 2 m. The leaves are formed in whorls of six to eight. Both leaves and stem have fine hairs tipped with tiny hooks (like Velcro), making them cling to clothes and fur. The white to greenish flowers are small, with four petals.

It flowers in early spring to summer, with the flowers growing in most of the leaf nodes. The fruits are clustered 1-3 seeds together and each seed also is covered with hooked hairs (a burr), which helps in the dispersal of their seeds.

It is a common weed in hedges and other low shrubby vegetation, and is also a common weed in fields, along roadsides as well as in gardens. Their rampant and thick growth causes shading of any small plants that they overrun inhibiting the growth of more desireable plants.

Cleavers is particularly damaging in cereal and canola crops where it clings to and trails around the plants. It clings to other plants, competing for light, moisture, and nutrients, and becomes entangled in harvesting equipment. The seeds are similar in size to cereal grain seeds, and so are a common contaminant in cereals since they are difficult to clean out. The presence of some seed in cereals is not considered a serious problem as they are not toxic.

The plant was traditionally used to treat skin diseases. It is a diuretic and an aid in the healing of wounds. Herbalists use it to lower blood pressure and body temperature, as well as to treat inflammation of the urinary bladder.

The whole plant is edible and considered rich in Vitamin C. Because of the small hooks which cover the plant, it is not fit to eat raw, but can be boiled as a leaf veggie before the fruits and seeds develop. When dried and roasted, the fruits of this plant can be used to make a coffee-like drink. The plant can also be made into a tea.

Its roots produce a red dye. The Chinese used the tea as an anti-perspirant. It has also been used as a relief for head colds (home remedy), restlessness, and sunburns. As a pulp, it has been used to relieve poisonous bites.