Cleavers (Galium aparine) vs Couch Grass (Elymus repens)

Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Couch Grass (Elymus repens)

About

Cleavers is a straggling, square-stemmed annual growing to 4 feet with whorls of lance-shaped leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and small round green fruits covered with hooked prickles. The name refers to the plant's ability to cling (or cleave) to fur or clothing. Common throughout Europe and North America and found in many other temperate regions including Australia, it grows prolifically in gardens and along roadsides. The Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century CE noted that shepherds used the stems to make sieves for straining milk.

Couch grass is a vigorous perennial growing to 32 inches with a long, creeping rhizome, slender leaves, and erect spikes bearing green flowers aligned in two rows. Found in Europe, the Americas, northern Asia, and Australia, it is an invasive weed harvested throughout the year. In times of famine, the root was roasted and ground as a substitute for coffee and flour.

Safety & precautions

Ask a qualified professional before medicinal use.

Ask a qualified professional before medicinal use.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.