Galium

Annuals or perennials with whorled leaves and short-tubed, often 4-petalled flowers, in spring. There are around 12 native Galium sp, or bedstraws. Mainly enjoying an open position, but not G. odoratum, woodruff, which can carpet woodlands. G. aparine may not be recognisable from its latin name, but the common name of cleavers and picking them off clothing or pets, will be much more familiar.