Cleavers
Galium aparine
Other Names: Goosegrass, bedstraw
Introduced From: Europe and central Asia
Family: Rubiaceae, more than 7000 species in 650 genera worldwide, 42 genera in Australia
Habitat: Gardens and fields, creekbanks and some inland eucalypt woodlands in cooler areas
References: Grubb and Raser-Rowland pp. 44-47 (Below on this page), Low (Weeds), Richardson and Shepherd
About Cleavers
Cleavers is and easy weed to learn to identify, due to the distinctive shape of the leaves growing out from the stems. It has tiny white flowers with four petals (see the third photo below for the flower size compred to my fingertip). It has bristly, sticky stems that are square in cross-section.
Photo: Galium aparine, Cleavers. Emu Plains, NSW.
Photo: Galium aparine, Cleavers. Emu Plains, NSW.
Photo: Galium aparine, Cleavers. Emu Plains, NSW.
See Also
Australian Mammals
Australian Birds
Australian Reptiles
Australian Frogs
Australian Fish
Australian Spiders and Their Faces
Return to Plant Foods
