Cleavers
Study firstCleavers has sticky, hooked hairs and scrambles over other plants.
Extra care needed
Sweet woodruff.
Galium odoratum
Also found as Woodruff · Waldmeister
A shade-loving woodland ground cover with whorls of narrow leaves and tiny white star flowers that smells of hay when dried.
Sources checked 27 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
Contains coumarin; large amounts cause headaches and liver concerns. Avoid with blood thinners.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 23,686
- People who recorded it
- 10,944
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- Apr–May
- Records span
- 1966–2026
| January | 192 |
|---|---|
| February | 144 |
| March | 272 |
| April | 4347 |
| May | 9974 |
| June | 3226 |
| July | 1707 |
| August | 1389 |
| September | 830 |
| October | 739 |
| November | 575 |
| December | 289 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Square stems with whorls of six to nine narrow leaves.
- 02
Small white four-petaled star flowers in spring.
- 03
Wilted or dried leaves smell of fresh hay or vanilla.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native to European and Asian woodland; widely grown in gardens.
Watch the plant stage
Leaves before and during flowering in spring.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Leaf
Wilt leaves briefly to flavor drinks such as May wine. Use small amounts.
Care for the patch
Snip a few stems and leave the colony to spread.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Wikipedia · Galium odoratumBotanical description, range and documented use
- iNaturalist · Galium odoratumTaxonomy and verified observation records
Checked 27 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction