Galium aparine Goosegrass (Rubiaceae)

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Galium aparine
Goosegrass
(1 Page of 5)

The Galium aparine plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Goosegrass.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Galium aparine
Common Name:  Goosegrass
Family:  Rubiaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The sap of the plant can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people[222].

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:  3

Habitat:  Hedgerows and as a weed of cultivated land[7]. Moist and grassy places on most types of soil[17].

Edible Uses: The tender young shoot tips - raw or cooked as a pot-herb[5, 7, 53, 55, 62, 172, 183]. A rather bitter flavour that some people find unpalatable[244], they are best used in the spring[178]. They make a useful addition to vegetable soups[7, 244]. It is said that using this plant as a vegetable has a slimming effect on the body[238]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[2, 53, 62]. One of the best substitutes, it merely needs to be dried and lightly roasted and has much the flavour of coffee[4, 115, 183]. A decoction of the whole dried plant gives a drink equal to tea[2, 4].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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