Cleavers, Catchweed Bedstraw, Goose Grass, Sticky Willy, ETC.

Galium aparine

GAL-ee-um  ap-AR-in-nee

Synonyms of Galium aparine (42) (Updated on 12-24-23 from Plants of the World Online): Aparine hispida Moench (1794)(nom. superfl.), Aparine vulgaris Hill (1770), Asperula aparine (L.) Besser (1809)(nom. illeg.), Asperula aparine var. aparine (L.) Nyman (1879)(not validly publ.), Asterophyllum aparine (L.) K.F.Schimp. & Spenn. (1829), Crucianella purpurea Wulff ex Steud. (1840), Galion aparinum (L.) St.-Lag. (1880), Galium aculeatissimum Kit. ex Kanitz (1863), Galium adhaerens Gilib. (1782)(opus utique oppr.), Galium aparine var. agreste P.D.Sell (2006), Galium aparine subsp. agreste P.D.Sell (2006), Galium aparine f. angustifolium Cout. (1939), Galium aparine var. fructibushispidis Franch. (1883), Galium aparine var. hirsutum Mert. & W.D.J.Koch (1823), Galium aparine var. intermedium (Mérat) Bonnet (1883), Galium aparine f. intermedium (Mérat) R.J.Moore (1975), Galium aparine f. latifolium Cout. (1939), Galium aparine var. marinum Fr. (1828), Galium aparine var. microphyllum Clos (1848), Galium aparine var. minor Hook. (1833), Galium aparine var. pseudoaparine (Griseb.) Speg. (1897), Galium aparine var. subglabrum Peterm. (1838), Galium aparine var. thalassicum Beurl. (1854), Galium aparine var. verum Wimm. & Grab. (1827), Galium asperum Honck. (1782)(nom. illeg.), Galium australe Reiche (1900)(nom. superfl.), Galium borbonicum var. makianum Cordem. (1895), Galium charoides Rusby (1934), Galium chilense Hook.f.(1846), Galium chonosense Clos (1848)(nom. superfl.), Galium hispidum Willd. (1809), Galium horridum Eckl. & Zeyh. (1837)(nom. illeg.), Galium intermedium Mérat (1831)(nom. illeg.), Galium lappaceum Salisb. (1796)(nom. superfl.), Galium larecajense Wernham (1912), Galium parviflorum Maxim. (1859)(nom. illeg.), Galium pseudoaparine Griseb. (1854), Galium segetum K.Koch (1843), Galium tenerrimum Schur (1866), Galium uliginosum Thunb. (1784)(nom. illeg.), Galium uncinatum Gray (1821 publ. 1822), Rubia aparine (L.) Baill. (1880)

Galium aparine L. is the accepted scientific name of Cleavers (etc.). The genus and species were named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-24-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 643 species in the Galium genus. It is a member of the plant family Rubiaceae with 611 genera. Those numbers could change periodically as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Galium aparine is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada is similar.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

This page brings back a lot of memories as a kid. As I began writing more wildflower pages for this site over one winter I was wondering why I hadn’t seen any of “those” plants that stick to you for a long time. Undoubtedly, I slipped a cog because next to Chickweed, this species grows along the back of the house, in flower beds, around the garden fence, etc.

Galium aparine is an annual species that is mainly unbranched or sometimes may have a few branches. The stems are weak and may grow upright or sprawl. The stems and leaves all have stiff downward-facing (retrorse) hairs that give them a sticky feeling that clings to everything. This species has MANY common names such as Cleavers, Catchweed, Bedstraw, Catchweed Bedstraw, Goose Grass, Sticky Willy, Sticky Weed, Sticky Bob, Stickybud, Stickyback, Robin-Run-The-Hedge, Sticky Willow, Stickyjack, Stickeljack, Grip Grass, Sticky Grass, Bobby Buttons, Velcro Plant, ETC. It’s great to have the actual name for it rather than “those sticky plants.”

The 4-angled stems are “furrowed” and hollow. The stems can grow upright to a point but usually become straggly and creep along the ground and can grow up to 3’ long or longer.

Up to eight narrow oblanceolate leaves grow in a whorled pattern along the stems. Of course, they also have retrorse hairs that are clingy.

The tiny 4-lobed flowers mainly grow above the leaf nodes, either solitary or 2-3 together on short peduncles. Flowers are subtended 1-4 leafy bracts.

Flowers consist of 4 white petals, 4 stamens, 2 styles, and a pair of green carpels that join together at the base of the flower. When the petals fall off, the carpels turn brown and contain a single seed.

Some people can develop contact dermatitis on their skin from this plant. 

Apparently, Galium aparine is edible but should be cooked because of its clingy hairs. Interestingly, this species is in the same family as coffee, and the fruits have been dried, roasted, and used as a coffee substitute with less caffeine.

The common name “bedstraw” comes from dried plants being used to stuff mattresses in Europe. Shepherds used the barbed stems of these plants to make a rough sieve to strain milk. Flowers of Galium verum were used in making cheese to curdle milk.

The roots of Galium aparine can be used to make a red dye.

I will probably add more photos as time goes by but you will have no problem identifying this species…

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and most have pages listed on the right side of the blog. I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
TRIBUNE CHRONICLE

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂