Galium odoratum - Sweet Woodruff

Family:	Rubiaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.15
Width:	0.45
Synonyms:	Asperula odorata.
Range:	Northern and central Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and Siberia.

Galium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.15m and a width of 0.45m . It has a moderate growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
Sweet Woodruff will flower in November to January. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Flies, bees, self

Soil Information

Sweet Woodruff will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Sweet Woodruff prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Sweet Woodruff can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Woodland and shady areas[4, 14] on damp calcareous and base rich soils[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[200]. Tolerates dry soils but the leaves quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[200]. This species does not thrive in a hot climate[200]. Prefers a moist calcareous soil[9, 13, 14]. Dislikes very acid soils[187]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3. This species is very tolerant of atmospheric pollution and grows well in towns[208]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[187]. Sweet woodruff is occasionally cultivated in the herb garden for its medicinal and other uses. The dried foliage has the sweet scent of newly mown hay[245]. A very ornamental plant[1] but it spreads rapidly[28] and can be invasive[200]. However, this is rarely to the detriment of other plants since these are normally able to grow through it[200]. It does no harm to any plants more than 60cm tall[208].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[62]. The leaves are coumarin-scented (like freshly mown hay), they are used as a flavouring in cooling drinks[2, 9, 27] and are also added to fruit salads etc[183, 200]. The leaves are soaked in white wine to make 'Maitrank', an aromatic tonic drink that is made in Alsace[238]. A fragrant and delicious tea is made from the green-dried leaves and flowers[2, 183, 268]. Slightly wilted leaves are used, the tea has a fresh, grassy flavour[200]. The sweet-scented flowers are eaten or used as a garnish[183].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Drink - not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
Sweet woodruff was widely used in herbal medicine during the Middle Ages, gaining a reputation as an external application to wounds and cuts and also taken internally in the treatment of digestive and liver problems[4]. In current day herbalism it is valued mainly for its tonic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory affect[254]. The leaves are antispasmodic, cardiac, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative[9, 13, 21, 200]. An infusion is used in the treatment of insomnia and nervous tension, varicose veins, biliary obstruction, hepatitis and jaundice[9, 238]. The plant is harvested just before or as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use[9]. One report says that it should be used with caution[21] whilst another says that it is entirely safe[9]. Excessive doses can produce dizziness and symptoms of poisoning[268]. The dried plant contains coumarins and these act to prevent the clotting of blood - though in excessive doses it can cause internal bleeding[254]. The plant is grown commercially as a source of coumarin, used to make an anticoagulant drug[268]. Do not use this remedy if you are taking conventional medicine for circulatory problems or if you are pregnant[254]. A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries[238]. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry[238]. A homeopathic remedy made from the plant is used in the treatment of inflammation of the uterus[238].

• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Cardiac - Used in the treatment of heart problems.
• Diaphoretic - Induces perspiration.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Homeopathy - A plant used in homeopathic treatments.
• Sedative - Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in late summer[200]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[200]. A period of cold stratification helps reduce the germination time. Lots of leafmold in the soil and the shade of trees also improves germination rates. Division in spring. The plant can also be successfully divided throughout the growing season if the divisions are kept moist until they are established[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Cuttings of soft wood, after flowering, in a frame.

Scented parts of the plants

Leaves : Dried

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root[168]. Soft-tan and grey-green dyes are obtained from the stems and leaves[168]. A good ground-cover plant for growing on woodland edges or in the cool shade of shrubs[24, 200]. It spreads rapidly at the roots[28, 197, 208]. It is an ideal carpeting plant for bulbs to grow through[K]. Although the fresh plant has very little aroma, as it dries it becomes very aromatic with the scent of newly-mown grass and then retains this aroma for years[2, 200]. It is used in the linen cupboard to protect from moths etc.[4, 14] It was also formerly used as a strewing herb and is an ingredient of pot-pourri[238]. It was also hung up in bunches in the home in order to keep the rooms cool and fragrant during the summertime[245].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.
• Pot-pourri - Aromatic plants used to impart a pleasant smell to an area. Can this be grouped with incense or essential oil?
• Repellent - Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
• Strewing - Plants, usually aromatic, that are strewn on the floor to give a nice smell, repel insects etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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