Aptly Named "Cleavers"

Day 217: Galium odoratum is one of several Bedstraws which go by the common name of "Cleavers," and how aptly named they are! When in fruit, these plants carry dozens of small, round burrs which cling tenaciously to socks, boot laces and flannel shirt cuffs, to say nothing of attaching themselves to animal fur which assists in their transport to new locations. Galium odoratum is a non-native species, identifiable by the number of leaves in the whorl. Ten native Galium species are known to occur in Washington, as well as four which were introduced from Europe. Galium odoratum is fragrant, hence its alternative common name, "Sweet-scented Bedstraw."