11/04/2026
In between the heavy downpours this lunchtime, and I believe some have experienced hail and sleet, I, in my wisdom, had decided to quickly pick some fresh Cleavers. Put on me wellies, my rain coat, grabbed a large jar, and off I went. Aware of how dark it had suddenly gotten. Along the carport, loads of cleavers. Fresh and so full of energy.
The first drops. I look around ... "ahhh over there.....more amongst the Dockweed....cool!"
More rain.
By the time I reached "Over there" heavens opened. I grabbed big fat juicy cleavers.... hail ... "come...just grab what ye can and RUN!"
UUUUAHHHHH geepers, some weather.
Got out of the wet boots and rain coat, have to work fast with cleavers. They are olympiads are wilting.
Over to the sink, chopping board, curved knife, 1L Jar, Vodka ... all ready and waiting to be used.
And now I notice something, that I faintly was aware of at the time and quickly wondered but that RAIN!
Up until that moment I had NO IDEA that I have another family member: Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre) growing in the garden.
Like woodruff, a close cousin to Cleavers.
Study those two pictures here:
Left: Marsh Bedstraw and Top Right: Cleavers And Bottom Right: Woodruff.
There 5 Cousins.
But let me talk about 3 I know I have now growing in my garden:
1) Cleavers (Galium aparine)
* Sticky, sprawling
* Hooks onto everything
* Lymphatic + fluid movement
👉 Your go-to drainage herb
2) Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre)
* Found in damp, boggy ground
* Softer structure
* Not sticky
👉 Less commonly used, but same family traits
3) Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) (Love making syrup with this one)
* Smooth, soft, non-sticky
* Grows in shady woodland
* Slight sweet scent when dried
👉 More calming / gentle / aromatic
Final Thought:
In the Galium family, only one of them behaves like it owns the place and that’s cleavers. 😘
N.B. In case you are asking this question: "Did she use both?"
And the answer is "YES"
