Herb Directory

Cleavers (Galium aparine), also known as “stickywilly” or “bedstraw,” has a captivating history. Originally native to Europe, parts of Northern Africa, and temperate Asia, it has spread globally through trade and colonization.

Its clinging nature—stem, leaves, and fruits covered in tiny hooked hairs—allows it to stick to clothing and other surfaces.

Cleavers thrive in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens, forming sprawling masses with lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls. Delicate, pale green stems trail along the ground or climb nearby vegetation. The small, star-shaped flowers are pale green or white, arranged in loose clusters. As the plant matures, it develops small, round fruits covered in hooked bristles, aiding in seed dispersal.

Cleavers’ botanical name, “Galium,” derives from its ability to curdle milk, a skill found in Neolithic settlements.