ExplorePlants

catchweed bedstraw

Galium aparine

Catchweed bedstraw is a green plant that loves to climb and spread across the ground. It has tiny, star-shaped flowers and can stick to your clothes when you walk by!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The catchweed bedstraw has weak, sprawling stems that are covered in tiny, backward-pointing hooks, allowing it to cling. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves grow in whorls around the stem. It produces very small, star-like white flowers in clusters.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyRubiaceaeGenusGalium
catchweed bedstraw
climbing trait badgeflowering trait badgeedible trait badgegrassland trait badge
catchweed bedstraw

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Farmers used to strain milk through tangled bedstraw stems before refrigeration!

Its tiny seeds are so tough, they can survive being eaten by birds!

People once used bundles of its stems to make a comfy 'bed' or mattress!

Young bedstraw leaves can be cooked and taste a bit like spinach!

Special abilities

Ability

Hitchhiker Hero

Catchweed bedstraw has tiny hooked bristles on its stems, leaves, and seeds that help it cling to fur or clothing for easy travel and dispersal.

Ability

Climbing Companion

Its weak stems use the support of taller plants and structures to climb upwards, reaching sunlight without needing a strong stalk.

Measurements & details

Height
30-200 cm
Spread
50-300 cm
Flower Size
0.1-0.2 cm
Bloom Season
Spring-summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Human

Homo sapiens

Young shoots can be eaten as a leafy green

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Bees visit its small white flowers for nectar

depends on

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

Often climbs on taller plants like nettles for support

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's safe to touch, but be careful not to pull it out of the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is catchweed bedstraw?

30-200 cm

How wide does catchweed bedstraw spread?

50-300 cm

How big are the flowers on catchweed bedstraw?

0.1-0.2 cm

When does catchweed bedstraw bloom?

Spring-summer

Is catchweed bedstraw edible?

Yes

Is catchweed bedstraw toxic?

None

What is catchweed bedstraw's lifecycle?

Annual

How is catchweed bedstraw pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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