Galium L.
“Leaves” mostly more than 6 in each whorl; may be less on flowering stems. Annuals
“Leaves” with retrorse hairs on the margins; 6–8 in each whorl, 15–30 mm long. Flowers in axillary cymes
Pedicels strongly recurved at fruiting stage. Cymes 1–3-flowered, shorter than the subtending leaves. Corolla cream. Fruit granular with large papillae, 3–4 mm diam. Widespread. Weed of cultivation and waste places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. spring–summer Galium tricornutum
Pedicels straight. Cymes 3–5-flowered, longer than the subtending leaves. Fruits 4–6 mm diam., covered with hooked bristles with tuberculate bases. Corolla whitish. Widespread. Weed of cultivation and waste places. Introd. from Europe. Fl. spring–summer. Cleavers or Goosegrass Galium aparine