Catchweed bedstraw Galium aparine L.
Family: Rubiaceae (Madder family)
Life cycle: winter annual
Habitat: No-till fields, landscapes, disturbed habitats
General description: Mat forming or ascending stems; stems are square with backward turning bristles that allow the plant to cling to other plants and objects. Leaves are narrow, sessile, oval to lanceolate, in whorls of 4 to 8 at each node, with spiny hairs on lower midrib. Flowers are small with 4 white petals. Fruit has two round halves covered with hooked hairs.
Key ID traits: Square stem with bristles, whorled leaves.
Similar species: Carpetweed has a similar growth habit and whorled leaves, but carpetweed has a round, smooth stem and glabrous leaves.
Miscellaneous: The name bedstraw comes from the use of the plant as mattress filling because the bristles on the stem minimized matting. In Europe, bedstraw spp. are known as cleavers.
Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in...