Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- GAL-ee-um oh-dor-AY-tum
- Description
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Sweet woodruff is a flowering herbaceous perennial in the coffee family and is native to north Africa, Asia and Europe. The genus name comes from the Greek word gala meaning milk as the flowers were used to curdle milk in cheese making. This plant grows along the ground or climbs over other plants and has sweet-smelling foliage and flowers. It can grow 6- 12 inches tall and up to 2 feet in length and spreads by rhizomes and seeds.
Its preference is for moist well-drained fertile soil in part to full shade. It will need to be watered during dry spells in summer to prevent it from going dormant. It can be somewhat aggressive under optimal growing conditions. Plants can be mowed with a rotary mower set high if necessary to maintain growth. Useful in herb gardens, naturalized areas, shady borders or as a ground cover or edging plant. They tolerate heavy shade and even being planted near black walnuts.
Lance-shaped dark green leaves form whorls of 6-8 around, squarish stems. The leaves smell like freshly mowed hay when crushed and dried and are often used in potpourri or sachets. The white flowers are showy, fragrant and edible. They have a sweet, nutty, vanilla flavor. Flowers can have a blood-thinning effect if eaten in large amounts.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Galium
- Species:
- odoratum
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in perfumes
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North Africa, Asia, Europe
- Distribution:
- Eastern USA and pacific northwest
- Play Value:
- Fragrance
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Edibility:
- Used to flavor teas and fruit drinks
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is covered in hooked bristles that adhere to fur and clothes
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white 4-petaled flowers in cymes in the spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green whorled leaves are 3/4 to 2 inches long and consist of 6-9 leaves. Margins are entire and crushed leaves are aromatic
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Thin, weak green stems sprawl on the ground or climb other plants
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Weedy
