This native perennial, an upright plant up to 1-2 feet tall, has broad, lance-shaped leaves in whorls of 4 around the stems (A). The tiny flowers have 3-4 greenish lobes on branched stalks above the leaves (B). The small fruits are spherical, pale green with hooked bristles (C). Identified by the whorls of 4 broad, lance-shaped leaves and tiny green flowers.
Grows along moist woodland trails, flowering in June and July. In Fontenelle Forest, common, for instance along Hackberry Trail. At Neale Woods, uncommon on Nebraska and Fox Trails.
Named so because this plant cleaves, i.e. sticks to clothing and animal fur. Also named Woods Bedstraw.
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