Galium odoratum Sweet woodruff (Rubiaceae)

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Galium odoratum
Sweet woodruff
(1 Page of 5)

The Galium odoratum plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Sweet woodruff. Some home gardeners know the variety as Asperula odorata.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Galium odoratum
Common Name:  Sweet woodruff
Family:  Rubiaceae
Author:  (L.)Scop.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.15   Mature Width:  0.45

Habitat:  Woodland and shady areas[4, 14] on damp calcareous and base rich soils[17].

General Uses: A red dye is obtained from the root[168]. Soft-tan and grey-green dyes are obtained from the stems and leaves[168]. A good ground-cover plant for growing on woodland edges or in the cool shade of shrubs[24, 200]. It spreads rapidly at the roots[28, 197, 208]. It is an ideal carpeting plant for bulbs to grow through[K]. Although the fresh plant has very little aroma, as it dries it becomes very aromatic with the scent of newly-mown grass and then retains this aroma for years[2, 200]. It is used in the linen cupboard to protect from moths etc.[4, 14] It was also formerly used as a strewing herb and is an ingredient of pot-pourris[238]. It was also hung up in bunches in the home in order to keep the rooms cool and fragrant during the summertime[245].

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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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