Cleavers (Galium aparine): A Traditional Spring Herb

Each spring a delicate climbing plant appears along hedges, woodland edges and garden borders. Known as cleavers (Galium aparine), this humble plant has long been valued in traditional herbal practice.

The Plant

Cleavers is a wild annual plant that grows abundantly across Europe. Its slender stems weave through surrounding vegetation and its tiny hook-like hairs allow the plant to cling to clothing, animals and other plants.

Traditional Herbal Use

At Organic Garrotxa we value plants like cleavers for their simplicity and connection to seasonal herbal traditions. Many valuable plants grow quietly in the landscape around us.