Plant · P-119

Cleavers

Galium aparine

Cleavers is a scrambling annual that carpets shaded ground in early spring, running on cool-season moisture and finishing before the heat arrives - unlike most weeds, it actually wants shade and scorches quickly in full sun. Its hooked burrs cling to fur and clothing, which is how it spreads, and its roasted seed makes a genuine coffee substitute since the plant belongs to the same family as coffee. Young shoots are edible and the whole plant has a long history as a lymphatic tonic, but mature growth turns coarse and irritating, so both people and grazing animals should only take it young.