Seasonal Wild Flowers

Woodruff

Galium odoratum

Sweet Woodruff

Rubiaceae

April (more usually May) to June

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the

East.

See the BSBI distribution map for Woodruff

It grows in deciduous woodland, scrub and shaded

hedge banks.

Woodruff is a native, rhizomatous, carpet forming,

perennial herb, growing up to 45cm.

The flowers are in flowerheads

Each flower is up to 6mm across and 4-merous

(4 white petals, 4 stamens and 2 styles with capitate

stigmas.

The leaves are in whorls of up to 8.

Leaf margins are lined with forward pointing prickles.

Woodruff is the UK's only woodland Bedstraw and is an

indicator of ancient woodlands.

Apart from the first picture, those shown here were

taken in old woodland in Powerstock Common,West Dorset.

Previous page: Wood Speedwell
Next page: Wych Elm

Woodruff in a hedge bank, Lancaster

Flowerhead

Flowers showing 4 stamens

Flower showing 2 capitate stigmas

Whorl of leaves

Leaves - prickles on the edges