Cleavers

Botanical Name: Galium aparine

Common Names: Bedstraw, goose grass, goose’s hair

A relative of the coffee plant, Galium aparine has many colorful names besides Cleaver’s Herb, which include goose grass, robin-run the hedge, sticky willy and catchweed. The last two names are significant when you consider that fresh cleaver’s herb are fuzzy and have a tendency to stick to fabric. Although this natural herb is edible when boiled, this fuzz makes Galium aparine a poor choice to eat raw.

When boiled, the root of the Galium aparine plant produces a harmless red dye that is used in the manufacture of clothing made from organic fabrics.

Cleaver’s Herb is one of the herbs and spices in bulk that contains high levels of Vitamin C.