(7 votes, average: 3.71 out of 5)

Cleavers

Edible

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Winter

View Full Size Image

Young cleaver leaves, I think they taste acceptable at this stage.

Useful as a food in the past and just as good today as it can be found year round.

Hedgerow Type
Common Names	Cleavers, Goosegrass, Sticky Willies
Scientific Name	Galium aparine
Season Start	Jan
Season End	Dec

Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.

Leaves

Small, thin, hairy, green leaves growing in small rosettes along the vertical stem.

Tiny, white, four petaled flowers.

Small round hook laden seeds that will stick to you or your dog if brushed past.

Has a square stem covered in many tiny hooks.

Hedges, path and roadsides, waste ground and woodland.

Quite difficult to confuse with anything else.

Edible when very young or cooked, if a little fibrous and bitter. Should be eaten before the seeds appear in summer but can be found all year round.

Just the fresh looking tops should be picked or wait until the seeds have fully hardened, roast and use as a coffee substitute.

Annoying other kids in the playground.
It has also been used to strain hairs from milk.