Bedstraw (Note: Plant in image is an herbaceous perennial, not a tree)
Galium mollugo (Great Hedge Bedstraw) or Galium aparine (Cleavers) · Herbaceous perennial/annual (strictly speaking, it is not a tree)
Plant Family
Rubiaceae (Madder family)
Tree Category
Wildflower / Groundcover / Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (Wild)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9
About This Tree
A low-growing or scrambling plant with square stems and whorled leaves. It forms dense mats or scrambles over other vegetation using tiny hooked hairs for support. While not a tree, it is a dominant ground-level plant in forest edges and meadows.
Leaf Characteristics
Leaves are arranged in whorls of 6 to 8 at each node. They are narrow, lanceolate, or linear in shape, with a small point at the tip and typically a single mid-vein.
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable; stems are green, herbaceous, square (four-sided), and sometimes prickly with minute backward-pointing hairs.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; widely naturalized in North America
Growing Season
Spring through Fall; flowers typically bloom from May to August depending on region
Sunlight & Water Needs
Partial sun to shade; prefers moist, nitrogen-rich soils but can tolerate moderate drought once established.
Mature Size
Spreading/scrambling stems can reach 1 to 4 feet in length, but the plant remains low to the ground (6-12 inches high) without support.
Special Characteristics
Known for its 'velcro-like' ability to stick to fur and clothing. Historically used for stuffing mattresses (hence the name 'bedstraw') and as a source of red dye from roots.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nectar for small pollinators and hoverflies. Acts as a host plant for certain hawk moth larvae. Seeds are dispersed by animals when they hitchhike on fur.