False Cleavers
Galium spurium

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

Galium spurium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Plants are doubtfully native in Britain but are well established in arable fields in Essex and in a few other scattered localities.

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa and W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw or cooked. A famine food, used as a last resort.

Medicine

Rating: 2

Both Asperuloside (a terpenoid) and Coumarin (a benzopyrone) occur in some species of Galium. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry.

Other

Rating: 1

A red dye is obtained from the root.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun. This species does not thrive in a hot climate.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in the spring though it may be very slow to germinate.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

G. vaillantii.DC.