Crosswort
Cruciata laevipes

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A short, softly hairy herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a creeping rootstock. The stems are square. They are branched near the base. The leaves are in rings of four. They are oval and 12-20 mm long and have 3 veins. They are yellowish-green. The flowers are pale yellow and have a honey smell. The flowers are 2-2.5 mm wide and in clusters in rings at the base of the leaves. The fruit is round, smooth and hairless. They are black when ripe.

Where it is found

A temperate or Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in grassy habitats and mostly on calcareous soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Britain, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Navadna dremota

Synonyms

Galium cruciata; Cruciata chersonensis; Valantia cruciata;