Woodruff or Asperula odorata

Woodruff or Asperula odorata or Galium odoratum is a ground cover that spreads horizontally. It is part of the Rubiaceae family of plants. It is native to Europe, Russia, Western Siberia, Caucasus, Iran, China, and Japan.

Asperula odorata is a herbaceous perennial. They also call it Sweet Woodruff, Wild Baby’s Breath, in German Waldmeister. Woodruff grows in shade and woodlands. The leaves are coumarin scented. They have used Asperula odorata in herbal medicine, since the middle ages.

Asperula odorata has simple leaves. They are lanceolate and glabrous. It flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are white. They grow in cymes. Each flower has four petals. The petals are joined together at the base.

Asperula odorata produces seeds covered in tiny bristles. The bristles help the spread of the seeds. They easily attach themselves to things that brush against them.

How to grow Asperula odorata:

Grow Asperula odorata in partial or full shade. Plant them in rich, moist soil. In hot climates water them regularly. Propagate by division. Asperula odorata is fragrant even when it is dried therefore it is used in potpourri.

They use it to flavor wine in Germany. They also make drinks called Tarhun in Georgia.

Other synonyms for Asperula odorata:

Galium matrisylva 
Asperula odora 
Chlorostemma odoratum 
Asperula matrisylva 
Asperula zangezurensis 
Asterophyllum asperula 
Asterophyllum sylvaticum 
Asperula eugeniae 
Galium odoratum var. eugeniae