Galium verum L.

Stoloniferous perennial; stems decumbent to erect, often ± tufted, weak, to c. 75 cm long, densely puberulent except towards base; main stems terete or bluntly-angled; branches 4-angled. Lvs and stipules (5)–6–9 per whorl, sessile, 5–20 × c. 1–2 mm, linear or linear-oblong but usually revolute and appearing subulate, ± scabridulous above and on midrib below; margins ciliate; apex sharply acute to shortly awned. Infl. a dense panicle of terminal and axillary cymes, with main axis to > 15 cm long and usually densely puberulent; peduncles often glabrous; pedicels usually < 1.5 mm long at anthesis, glabrous, not divaricating at fruiting, ± = peduncles and sometimes subtended by leaflike bracts; fls very numerous. Corolla 2–3 mm diam., yellow; lobes ovate, with incurved mucro. Mericarps c. 1 mm diam., globose, glabrous, rugulose.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.