Galium spurium

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Galium spurium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Galium
Species:
G. spurium
Binomial name
Galium spurium
Synonyms

Galium vaillantii DC.

Galium spurium, the stickwilly[1] or false cleavers, is a plant species of the Rubiaceae. It is widespread across Europe, Asia, Africa and Canada, and is naturalized in Australia.[2][3][4] It is considered a noxious weed in many places.[5]

Galium spurium is an erect or reclining herb up to 50 cm tall. Stems are square in cross-section. Leaves are in

cymes or panicles, white or yellow-green.[6]

Subspecies

Many varietal and subspecific names have been proposed, but at present (May 2014) only 3 are recognized:[2]

  • Galium spurium subsp. africanum Verdc. - mountains of tropical and southern Africa; also Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Socotra
  • Galium spurium subsp. ibicinum (Boiss. & Hausskn.) Ehrend. - Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan
  • Galium spurium subsp. spurium - widespread

References

External links