Native Plants
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Galium aparine
Galium aparine L.
Stickywilly, Catchweed Bedstraw, Cleavers, Common Bedstraw, Sticky Weed
Rubiaceae (Madder Family)
Synonym(s): Galium agreste var. echinospermum, Galium aparine ssp. spurium, Galium aparine var. echinospermum, Galium aparine var. intermedium, Galium aparine var. minor, Galium aparine var. vaillantii, Galium spurium, Galium spurium var. echinospermum, Galium spurium var. vaillantii, Galium spurium var. vaillantii, Galium vaillantii
USDA Symbol: GAAP2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (I?), GL (I?)
A weak-stemmed, reclining plant with backward-booked bristles on stems and leaves, and clusters of 1-3 (usually 2) very small white flowers on stalks rising from whorled leaf axils.
The common name is appropriate since the bristles cause the stems, leaves, and fruits to cleave to clothes and the fur of animals. The fact that geese eat the plants accounts for the other common name. The plants are also known as Bedstraws, since the pleasant smelling foliage of a yellow-flowered species (G. verum) was used to stuff mattresses in medieval times.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: GreenBloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: NB , PE
Native Distribution: Throughout North America, except Northwest Territories and Newfoundland.
Native Habitat: Reclining on bushes in woods and thickets.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0734 Collected Mar 8, 1993 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT 0825 Collected Mar 12, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0089 Collected Mar. 28, 1991 in Bexar County by Mollie Walton
Additional resources
USDA: Find Galium aparine in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Galium aparine in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Galium aparine
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-02-14Research By: TWC Staff