Galium spurium subsp. africanum
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
A scrambling herb. It grows each year from seed. It grows 30 cm tall but can be 2 m tall. The stems have lines along them and are 4 sided. They have small curved prickles. The leaves are simple and in rings of 6-8. They are narrowly sword shaped. There are prickles along the edge. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. They are small and 1.5 mm across. They are white or green. The fruit is round and has hooked hairs.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves