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Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts FliesFlies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Cross-Shaped FlowersCross-shaped flowers
White FlowersWhite flowers
4 Petals4 petals
Apr-May Flowering
period
Whorled LeavesWhorled leaves
Hairy-Edged LeavesHairy-edged leaves
Square StemSquare stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
30cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Sweet Woodruff
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Sweet Woodruff is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodlands and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 30cm.

Sweet Woodruff is named after the scent of its leaves, likened to 'newly mown hay', which intensifies on harvesting. The scent comes from Coumarin, a toxic compound, which has traditionally been used as a flavouring and source of dye. Coumarin is currently used to make medicinal anticoagulants such as Warfarin and rat poison. The presence of established Sweet Woodruff can be an indicator of ancient woodland.

Botanic classification and naming: Sweet Woodruff is a member of the Madder (Rubiaceae) family. The genus name 'Galium' identifies the plant as a Bedstraw and its species name 'odoratum' means 'fragrant plant'.

Concerns: Sweet Woodruff contains Coumarin, which is moderately toxic to the liver and kidneys.

Benefits: Sweet Woodruff has nectar-rich flowers which are very attractive to pollinators.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Sweet Woodruff

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Sweet Woodruff usually flowers between April and May.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour White

White

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Cross

Cross

Petals:

Petal Number =  4

4

Leaf of Sweet Woodruff

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Whorled

Whorled

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is hairy

hairy

Stem of Sweet Woodruff

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Square

Square

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous