Galium

...An annual or biennial plant of the Rubiaceae family that is common in the mountains and fields, and is often found in gardens and fields (illustration). There is a theory that what was called Cleaver Gura in ancient times was not this species, but Kanamugura of the Cannabaceae family. The stem is square, has small barbed spines, and grows by wrapping around other things, reaching a length of 1m. The leaves are linear, 1-3cm long, and grow in whorls of 6-8. The leaves also have barbed spines that easily stick to clothing, and the whorls of leaves are used as medals. Around May and June, many small flowers grow at the ends of the branches. The corolla is pale yellow-green, has 4 lobes at the tip, and is 2mm in diameter. ...

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "Galium" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…山野にごく普通なアカネ科の一年草または二年草で，庭や畑にも多い（イラスト）。古い時代にヤエムグラといわれたのは本種ではなく，アサ科のカナムグラとする説がある。茎は四角く，小さい逆刺があり他物にからまって伸び，長さ1mに達する。葉は線形で，長さ1～3cm，6～8枚が輪生状につく。葉にも逆刺があり衣服につきやすく，輪生葉を勲章などとして遊ぶ。5～6月ころ，枝の先に小花を多数つける。花冠は淡黄緑色，先は4裂し，直径2mm。…

※「Galium」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報