CLIVERS. Galium aparine. N.O. Rubiaceae.
Synonym : Cleavers, Goosegrass, Catchweed, Goosebill, Hayriffe. Habitat : Among hedges and bushes.
Features : Quadrangular stem, rough, weak but very lengthy, creeping up the hedges by little prickly hooks. Many side branches, always in pairs. Leaves small, lanceolate, in rings of six to nine round stem, with backward, bristly hairs at margins. Flowers white, very small, petals arranged like Maltese Cross ; few together on stalk rising from leaf ring. Fruit nearly globular, one-eighth inch diameter, also covered with hooked bristles. Saline taste.
Part used : Herb.
Action : Diuretic, tonic, alterative.
Obstructions of urinary organs. Hot or cold infusion of 1 ounce to 1 pint in wineglass doses frequently. Clivers is similar in action to Gravelroot, the former causing a more copious watery flow, the latter a larger proportion of solid matter. The two herbs are frequently used together.
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