CatChweed Bedstraw Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals Catchweed bedstraw, Galium aparine, LIFE CYCLE (Fig. 1), an annual weed belonging to Bedstraw is a winter or summer annual the Madder (Rubiaceae) family, can be in California with peak germination found throughout most of the world. in mid- to late December and second- The species name “aparine” comes ary germination in February or March from a Latin word meaning “to seize,” when soil is still cool and moist. Seed- which is very appropriate consider- lings (Fig. 4) can emerge even if they ing the clinging nature of this weed. are buried up to 3 inches deep in loose Catchweed bedstraw is known by soil. However, the seed will not sprout many names around the world includ- on the soil surface, as exposure to light Figure 1. Catchweed bedstraw. ing cleavers, bedstraw, stickywilly, inhibits germination. and “velcro plant.” Bedstraw is native to North America and can be found Bedstraw has a slender taproot and throughout California, particularly sprawling stems, and can tolerate in moist, shady areas. Bedstraw often freezing temperatures while in the veg- is an early colonizer of waste places, etative growth stage. This fast growing roadsides, and other disturbed sites; weed can flower in as little as eight however, it also can be a major weed weeks after germination; the flowers of crops such as cereals, hay, rapeseed, are self-pollinated and usually set seed and sugarbeet as well as home land- in late spring to mid-summer months. scapes and vegetable gardens. Two-lobed, spherical or slightly kidney- shaped fruit separate into two nutlets Figure 2. Catchweed bedstraw stem showing whorled leaves. IDENTIFICATION in the summer and fall after the plant The cotyledons (seed leaves) of bed- senesces (i.e., its leaves dry up and fall straw are oblong to egg shaped, with off). Individual plants typically pro- slightly notched tips. The cotyledons duce 100 to 400 seeds, with occasional are smooth, lack hairs, and range in plants producing 3,000 or more seeds. length from 1/2 to one inch. Mature Bedstraw seeds, which have hooked catchweed bedstraw has stems up to 6 hairs to aid dispersal, can remain vi- feet long that are square in profile, es- able in the soil for up to three years. pecially near the tips (Fig. 2). Bedstraw often forms dense, tangled mats that Catchweed bedstraw is most produc- sprawl on the ground or over other tive in clay and loamy soils with high nitrogen and phosphorus. Although Figure 3. Catchweed bedstraw flowers vegetation. Leaves are whorled (usu- and fruit. ally with six or eight leaves in a whorl), germination and growth are best in and small, downward-curved prickles cool, moist soil, bedstraw can tolerate cover both the stem and leaves. These dry soil once established. hairlike structures are responsible for the characteristic tangled growth IMPACT habit and attachment of plant parts to Bedstraw is a troublesome agricultural clothing and animals; they also aid in weed as well as an important weed dispersal of the species. Small, four- problem in landscapes and home gar- parted, white or greenish-white flowers dens. In agricultural situations, it can are borne on short branches originating reduce yields of cereals by 30 to 60% in the leaf axils on upper parts of the and become tangled in harvest and till- plant (Fig. 3). age equipment; its seeds are extremely Figure 4. Catchweed bedstraw seedling. EST OTES Publication 74154 PUniversity of California N Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program Agriculture and Natural Resources November 2010 November 2010 Catchweed Bedstraw difficult to remove from harvested established. Cutting catchweed bed- grain, vegetable seeds, and oilseed straw to 2 to 3 inches usually is not HERBAL VALUE crops. Bedstraw also can host several effective and has been reported to ac- Historically, catchweed bedstraw has nematode, insect, and disease pests. tually increase biomass production up had several beneficial uses. The roasted to 30% compared to uncut plants. The seeds make a good coffee substitute The weed also impacts animal agricul- growth of bedstraw can be suppressed (coffee also is a member of the Madder ture, as its seed or vegetative material by sowing a competitive crop such as a family), and the young leaves can be used as a substitute for tea or steamed can contaminate and reduce the value of grass and wildflower mixture in some with butter and eaten. wool or fur. If livestock ingest bedstraw parks or other nonagricultural areas. forage, it can reduce their productivity, As an herbal remedy, it is said to be a since the weed can inflame the animal’s Biological Control diuretic, an anti-inflammatory, and an digestive tract or act as a diuretic. antispasmodic and was used to treat No insects or other biological agents psoriasis and eczema. are known to control catchweed bed- In landscapes and home gardens, bed- straw. Although some insects might The name itself, bedstraw, comes from straw competes for nutrients, water, feed on the plant, bedstraw does not use of the plant as a mattress filling; and light with desirable plants. Aside cause enough economic loss to agricul- the clinging characteristic of the prickly from competition, bedstraw can reduce plants minimizes matting and compac- ture to warrant the search of a biologi- aesthetic quality of the landscape and tion of the mattress filling. can be a serious nuisance in some cases cal control agent. A filter made of bedstraw leaves and by smothering desirable vegetation Chemical Control stems has been used to strain cow’s and causing physical injury to small hair out of milk, and the plant also has plants. It makes the harvesting of fruits Preemergent herbicides containing the been used as feed for geese and other and vegetables difficult, as the tangled active ingredient oryzalin can provide birds. The roots can be used to make a stems weave throughout the garden. fair control of bedstraw. Once estab- red dye. For pet owners, bedstraw seed or veg- lished, bedstraw can be controlled etation often gets caught in the fur of with several postemergent herbicides. pets and can be difficult to remove. Oxyfluorfen, glyphosate, quinclorac, DiTomaso, J. M., and E. A. Healy. 2006. dichlobenil, or carfentrazone (available Weeds of California and Other Western MANAGEMENT to professional applicators) can control States. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Cultural Control small bedstraw plants, while products Res. Publ. 3488. containing dicamba, 2,4-D, or MCPA Long-term control of catchweed bed- can provide partial control. Organic Guertin, P. 2003. Factsheet for: Galium apa- straw in home landscapes relies on clove oil-based herbicides such as rine L. Tuscon: U.S. Geological Survey. removing existing plants before they Matratec or BurnOut will kill young flower and produce viable seed. Hand plants if applied early in the season. Malik, N., and W. H. Vanden Born. 1988. hoeing or weed pulling can be very effective, especially in the early spring The biology of Canadian weeds. 86. when soil is damp. Installing and main- REFERENCES Galium aparine L. and Galium spurium L. taining mulch (e.g. bark, wood chips, Defelice, M. S. 2002. Catchweed bed- Can. J. Plant Sci. 68:481–499. leaf litter, gravel, weed tarps, etc.) can straw or cleavers, Galium aparine L.—A reduce seedling emergence and eases very “sticky” subject. Weed Technology. Taylor, K. 1999. Galium aparine L. J. Ecol. the removal of plants that do become 16:467–472. 87:713–730. v ◆ 2 of 3 ◆ November 2010 Catchweed Bedstraw AUTHORS: W. T. Lanini, Plant Sciences, University of California scientists and other UC Davis; and B. Hanson, Plant Sciences, qualified professionals have anonymously peer reviewed this publication for technical accuracy. The UC Davis. ANR Associate Editor for Urban Pest Management managed this review process. TECHNICAL EDITOR: M. L. Flint To simplify information, trade names of products have been used. No endorsement of named products EDITOR: M. L. Fayard is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not mentioned. This material is partially based upon work ILLUSTRATIONS: Fig. 1, W. T. Lanini; and supported by the Extension Service, U.S. Department Figs. 2-4, J. M. DiTomaso. of Agriculture, under special project Section 3(d), Integrated Pest Management. Produced by UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program University of California, Davis, CA 95616 This and other Pest Notes are available at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu. For more information, contact the University of California Cooperative Extension office in your county. See your telephone directory for addresses University of California and phone numbers, or visit http://ucanr.org/ce.cfm. Agriculture and Natural Resources Program WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS Pesticides are poisonous. Always read and carefully follow all precautions and safety recommendations given on the container label. Store all chemicals in the original, labeled containers in a locked cabinet or shed, away from food or feeds, and out of the reach of children, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock. Pesticides applied in your home and landscape can move and contaminate creeks, rivers, and oceans. Confine chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardens containing fruits or vegetables ready to be picked. Do not place containers containing pesticide in the trash or pour pesticides down the sink or toilet. Either use the pesticide according to the label, or take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection site. Contact your county agricultural commissioner for additional information on safe container disposal and for the location of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection site nearest you. Dispose of empty containers by following label directions. Never reuse or burn the containers or dispose of them in such a manner that they may contaminate water supplies or natural waterways.