Seasonal Wild Flowers

Crosswort

Cruciata laevipes

Rubiaceae

April to June and sporadically through to the autumnt.

It is found throughout the country apart from parts of the

Northwest, the far Southwest and the Southeast.

See the BSBI distribution map for Crosswort

It is common by footpaths, cycle tracks, hedgebanks, the

edges and openings in woods, on waste ground, by

rivers, on railway embankments and in ungrazed

grassland.

Crosswort is a native, perennial herb, growing up

to 60cm.

It starts to flower almost as soon as it appears, i.e.,

when it is still very small.

The flowers are small (2-3mm across) with 4 pale-

yellow petals.

They are arranged in distinct whorls up the stem.

The leaves are pale green when they first appear

and become a darker green later in the year.

They are also in whorls up the stem.

Stems are hairy and 4-angled .

Crosswort in a hedgebank

Whorls of flowers

Hairy, 4-angled stem

Close-up of flowers

Young leaves with soft bristles

Leaves in September