Wild Madder
ExplorePlants
Wild Madder
Rubia peregrina
Wild Madder is a climbing plant with bright green leaves and small, star-like flowers. It grows in sunny places and can be found in fields and along roadsides.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Wild Madder is a scrambling perennial with four to six glossy, dark green leaves arranged in whorls around square-shaped stems. Its tiny, star-shaped flowers are pale yellow-green, appearing in small clusters. It can be distinguished by the rough, backward-pointing prickles on its stems and leaf margins.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyRubiaceaeGenusRubia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its roots were once used to dye Roman soldiers' cloaks bright red!
The plant's tiny flowers are a favorite snack for many small insects.
Wild Madder belongs to the same plant family as your morning coffee!
Wild Madder leaves grow in whirls, usually with four to six leaves around the stem.
Special abilities
Ability
Prickly Climber
Wild Madder can grow hooks on its stems and leaves, allowing it to climb other plants for sunlight and support.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Wild Madder produces small, dark berries that are eaten by birds, helping to spread its seeds far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-150 cm
- Spread
- 50-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.3-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
eaten by
Blackbird
Turdus merula
disperses seeds via fruit
eaten by
Egyptian cotton leafworm
Spodoptera littoralis
larvae feed on leaves
Traits
Climbing/Vine
Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Dye
This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants unless an adult says it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Wild Madder?
30-150 cm
How wide does Wild Madder spread?
50-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Wild Madder?
0.3-0.5 cm
When does Wild Madder bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Wild Madder edible?
No
Is Wild Madder toxic?
Mild
What is Wild Madder's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Wild Madder pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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