Cleavers (goosegrass)
Galium aparine L.
Botanical family: Rubiaceae
A slender plant that clings to everything with its tiny hooks (hence 'gratteron'), common in hedges and cool gardens. Traditionally used in an infusion as a cleansing 'lymphatic drainer' in herbalism.
Sun to partial shade
Cool, rich in nitrogen
Moderate, moist soil rich in nitrogen
Hardy (annual)
Sown in autumn, overwinters in your zone
Role in permaculture
A climbing-clinging annual of hedges and cool wasteland, an indicator plant of nitrogen-rich soil. Used in traditional herbalism.
Documented synergies
Relationships backed by a named source, with their real scope. A synergy without a named reference has no place here, no “it is said that…”.
Cleavers likes rich soils: its dense, vigorous presence signals a soil well supplied with nitrogen and organic matter, it's a useful bio-indicator plant for reading a plot's condition. Caution in reading it: this indicator reflects OVERALL fertility (nitrogen and phosphorus, productivity), not a precise nitrogen level. A qualitative signal, not a dosage.
institutional source
- · Tichý L. et al. (2023), Journal of Vegetation Science 34:e13168, DOI 10.1111/jvs.13168 (valeur indicatrice de nutriments 7,6, base FloraVeg.EU)
Seasons & availability
Young shoots picked in spring, before the plant runs to seed.
Available: March, April, May, June.
Guidance for the oceanic / temperate climate; it may vary with your region, altitude, exposure and growing method.
Sources
- Plants For A Future, « Galium aparine » (pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Galium+aparine)
- Tela Botanica, « Galium aparine L. » (tela-botanica.org/bdtfx-nn-28896-description)
Nutritional & medicinal properties
For educational purposes. Not a substitute for medical advice. Effects depend on the form, the dose and personal context.
Precautions & contraindications
Few known precautions, but professional advice is recommended for a course.
In the kitchen & the apothecary
Where to find cleavers (goosegrass) in preparations: recipes and traditional herbal teas.
Infusions & herbal teas
Species & varieties
The best-known species and varieties in France.
Species
Keep in mind
Traditional use; limited scientific data. Harvest young, before it goes to seed (the fruits cling everywhere).
A note on rigour: many companion pairings are gardening folklore; this note sums up what the sources say, where there are any.
Before you forage
This plant is often gathered from the wild. Only pick what is abundant, never a protected species, and never uproot a whole plant (roots) without the landowner's permission. Rules vary by country and region, check locally.
Key takeaways
- • Prefers sun to partial shade exposure.
- • Ideal soil: cool, rich in nitrogen.