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Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.

Sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderGentianalesGentians, coffee, gardenias, frangipani, many others
FamilyRubiaceaeCoffee, madder, and bedstraw family
GenusGaliumFrom Greek gala, “milk,” because some Galium species were used to curdle milk
SpeciesodoratumFragrant, sweet-smelling

About plant names...

Sweet woodruff is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia.

Some members of Galium:

 

Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw)

5/12/2007 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

 
Galium aparine

Galium mollugo
You are here
Galium odoratum
Common Name

catchweed bedstraw

smooth bedstraw

sweet woodruff
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:

Missouriplants.com

Wikipedia

in Paghat's Garden

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Wikimedia Commons

CalPhotos

Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw)

4/24/2007 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw)

5/7/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Asperula odorata L.

 

Galium odoratum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw)

5/8/2007 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw)

5/2/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff, sweetscented bedstraw)

5/8/2007 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Range: Zones 4-8:

About this map...