Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Rubiaceae ⟩ Galium aparine / cleavers

Galium aparine L.

cleavers (Rubiaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

The stems and leaves of Galium aparine are covered in hooked hairs, helping the plant to stick like velcro to many fabrics.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2009-05-07

 cleavers / Galium aparine: The stems and leaves of _Galium aparine_ are covered in hooked hairs, helping the plant to stick like velcro to many fabrics.

A young seedling, showing the 2 hairless cotyledons (seed-leaves) and whorls of 6 hairy true leaves.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-02-01

 cleavers / Galium aparine: A young seedling, showing the 2 hairless cotyledons (seed-leaves) and whorls of 6 hairy true leaves.

Galium aparine subsp. agreste is a prostrate subspecies.

Jura (VC102: South Ebudes); 2014-08-11

 cleavers / Galium aparine: _Galium aparine_ subsp. _agreste_ is a prostrate subspecies.

The fruits of Galium aparine (shown here with a greenfly for scale) are covered in stiff hooks, which help them adhere to fur and clothes.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-06-24

 cleavers / Galium aparine: The fruits of _Galium aparine_ (shown here with a greenfly for scale) are covered in stiff hooks, which help them adhere to fur and clothes.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne