Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Galium aparine Linnaeus
(Cleavers, Sticky Willy)

Family: Rubiaceae

Status: Exotic

Synonyms:
Galium aparine Linnaeus var. echinospermum (Wallroth) Farwell
Galium aparine Linnaeus var. vaillantii (A.P. de Candolle) Kock

Galium aparine is an annual that has small white petals and a sprawling prostrate growth habit. The leaves are whorled, with six or eight leaflets in most whorls. The fruit is covered with hooked bristles. Galium aparine is most common in lower to middle elevation canyons.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Galium aparine, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon, June 13, 2007



Galium aparine, detail of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Deadman Canyon, July 14, 2007



Galium aparine, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Pancho Canyon, April 17, 2009


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