Asperula odorata L.
Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. Sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw
Sweet woodruff is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Some members of Galium: |
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Galium aparine |
Galium mollugo |
You are here Galium odoratum |
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Plant | Stem is square stem, purplish in the spring, green as the plant matures. All parts of the plant are covered with tiny velcro-like hooks. | Up to 3′ (1 m), vinelike. Stems are square and smooth. | Low-growing plant may reach 1½′ (50 cm) in length, but only about 8″ (20 cm) in height. Plants have an appealing sweet scent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | 4-petaled, white, ⅛″ (3.2 mm) around, appearing from May to July. | Hundreds of tiny white 4-petaled flowers ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across, producing white masses. | Small white flowers, each ⅛-¼″ (4-7 mm) in diameter, are raised above the leaves on thin stalks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | Whorls of 6-8 leaves every few inches, each 1-2″ (2.5-5 cm) long. | In whorls of 6-8, 1-1½″ (2.5-3.8 cm) long, smooth. | ¾-1¾″ (2-5 cm) long, arranged in whorls of 6-9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Range/ Zones | USDA Zones: 4-8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | Wild | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occurrence | Common | Common | Common |
Identification: This low-growing plant may reach 1½′ (50 cm) in length, but often forms flat mats on the ground, so it appears to be only a few inches high. Leaves are ¾-1¾″ (2-5 cm) long, arranged in whorls of 6-9. Several such whorls can occur at regular intervals along the stem. Groups of small white flowers, each ⅛-¼″ (4-7 mm) in diameter, are raised above the leaves on thin stalks. Plants have a sweet scent. Fruits are 1/16-⅛″ (2-4 mm) in diameter, surrounded by tiny hooks like burrs.
Edibility: Sweet woodruff has been used as a flavoring agent, and for various herbal cures, but coumarin, which gives it its pleasant aroma, is toxic. The dried leaves' odor is like vanilla and grass.
Online References:
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
Asperula odorata L.
Galium odoratum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.
Range: Zones 4-8: