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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Galium aparine''
| image = Galium aparine01.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Galium aparine'' in flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
| familia = [[Rubiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Galium]]''
| species = '''''G. aparine'''''
| binomial = ''Galium aparine''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Galium aparine''''' is a herbaceous [[annual plant]] of the family [[Rubiaceae]]. It is native to [[North America]] and [[Eurasia]]. It has several common names, including '''Cleavers''', '''Clivers''', '''Goosegrass''', '''Stickywilly''', '''Stickyweed''', '''Catchweed''', and '''Coachweed'''.
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 [[Leaf|leaves]] are simple and borne in whorls of six to eight. Both leaves and stem have fine hairs tipped with tiny hooks, making them cling to clothes and fur much like [[velcro]]. The white to greenish [[flower]]s are 2-3 mm across, with four petals.
It flowers in early spring to summer, with the flowers occurring in most of the leaf nodes. The [[fruit]]s are clustered 1-3 [[seed]]s together; each seed is 4-6 mm diameter, and is also covered with hooked hairs (a [[burr (fruit)|burr]]) which cling to animal fur, aiding in seed dispersal.
It is a common weed in [[hedge (gardening)|hedges]] and other low [[shrub]]by vegetation, and is also a common [[weed]] in [[arable]] fields, as well as [[gardens]]. As they grow quite rampantly and thickly, they end up shading out any small plants that they overrun.
The seeds are similar size to [[cereal]] grains, and so are a common contaminant in cereals since they are difficult to [[Threshing|filter out]]. The presence of some seed in cereals is not considered a serious problem as they are not toxic.
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.
==Herbalism==
The plant was traditionally used to treat [[skin disease]]s. It is a [[diuretic]] and [[vulnerary]]. Herbalists use it to lower [[blood pressure]] and [[body temperature]], as well as for [[cystitis]].<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987) pp. 145-6</ref>
The whole plant is considered rich in [[vitamin C]]. Its roots produce a red dye, and the tea has been used as an [[anti-perspirant]] (by the Chinese), and as a relief for head colds (home remedy), restlessness, and sunburns.
As a pulp, it has been used to relieve poisonous bites. <ref>Jones, Pamela. ''Just Weeds: History, Myths, and Uses.'' Prentice Hall Press, New York. 1991.</ref>
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/mbierner/bio406d/images/pics/rub/galium_aparine.htm Image Archive of Central Texas Plants]
* [http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteopp/Galium_aparine_page.html Missouriplants.com] - a site with additional information and excellent pictures.
[[Category:Rubiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Galium aparine''
| image = Galium aparine01.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Galium aparine'' in flower
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
| familia = [[Rubiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Galium]]''
| species = '''''G. aparine'''''
| binomial = ''Galium aparine''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Galium aparine''''' is a herbaceous [[annual plant]] of the family [[Rubiaceae]]. It is native to [[North America]] and [[Eurasia]]. It has several common names, including '''Cleavers''', '''Clivers''', '''Goosegrass''', '''Stickywilly''', '''Stickyweed''', '''Catchweed''', and '''Coachweed'''.
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 [[Leaf|leaves]] are simple and borne in whorls of six to eight. Both leaves and stem have fine hairs tipped with tiny hooks, making them cling to clothes and fur much like [[velcro]]. The white to greenish [[flower]]s are 2-3 mm across, with four petals.
It flowers in early spring to summer, with the flowers occurring in most of the leaf nodes. The [[fruit]]s are clustered 1-3 [[seed]]s together; each seed is 4-6 mm diameter, and is also covered with hooked hairs (a [[burr (fruit)|burr]]) which cling to animal fur, aiding in seed dispersal.
It is a common weed in [[hedge (gardening)|hedges]] and other low [[shrub]]by vegetation, and is also a common [[weed]] in [[arable]] fields, as well as [[gardens]]. As they grow quite rampantly and thickly, they end up shading out any small plants that they overrun.
The seeds are similar size to [[cereal]] grains, and so are a common contaminant in cereals since they are difficult to [[Threshing|filter out]]. The presence of some seed in cereals is not considered a serious problem as they are not toxic.
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.
==Herbalism==
The plant was traditionally used to treat [[skin disease]]s. It is a [[diuretic]] and [[vulnerary]]. Herbalists use it to lower [[blood pressure]] and [[body temperature]], as well as for [[cystitis]].<ref>Howard, Michael. ''Traditional Folk Remedies'' (Century, 1987) pp. 145-6</ref>
The whole plant is considered rich in [[vitamin C]]. Its roots produce a red dye, and the tea has been used as an [[anti-perspirant]] (by the Chinese), and as a relief for head colds (home remedy), restlessness, and sunburns.
As a pulp, it has been used to relieve poisonous bites. <ref>Jones, Pamela. ''Just Weeds: History, Myths, and Uses.'' Prentice Hall Press, New York. 1991.</ref>
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/mbierner/bio406d/images/pics/rub/galium_aparine.htm Image Archive of Central Texas Plants]
* [http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteopp/Galium_aparine_page.html Missouriplants.com] - a site with additional information and excellent pictures.
[[Category:Rubiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]