---
{
  "id": "catchweed-bedstraw",
  "name": "Catchweed bedstraw",
  "scientific": "Galium aparine",
  "category": "native",
  "status": "Native Colorado plant · not on state Lists A/B/C",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "Hooked hairs and burrs cling to fur and clothing",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "cleavers",
    "stickyweed",
    "sticky willy"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Use Galium aparine for evidence matching. A common name such as goosegrass can also refer to unrelated grasses.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "N-galium-aparine",
    "S27"
  ],
  "description": "Catchweed bedstraw: Hooked hairs and burrs cling to fur and clothing. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Identification",
      "sources": [
        "N-galium-aparine"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "catchweed-bedstraw-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "N-galium-aparine"
      ],
      "scope": "Mechanical-contact precaution",
      "note": "",
      "id": "catchweed-bedstraw-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [
        "N-galium-aparine"
      ],
      "scope": "Mechanical-contact precaution; clinical evidence unresolved",
      "note": "",
      "id": "catchweed-bedstraw-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "catchweed-bedstraw-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-galium-aparine",
        "C-floristic-2020"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "catchweed-bedstraw-5"
    },
    {
      "label": "Management & timing",
      "sources": [
        "N-galium-aparine"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "catchweed-bedstraw-6"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "catchweed-bedstraw-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "catchweed-bedstraw-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "colorado_relevance": {
    "source_id": "C-floristic-2020",
    "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 55; Galium aparine",
    "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.",
    "source_taxon": "Galium aparine"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/catchweed-bedstraw.md"
}
---

# Catchweed bedstraw

*Galium aparine*

**Native Colorado plant · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **Hooked hairs and burrs cling to fur and clothing.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Use Galium aparine for evidence matching. A common name such as goosegrass can also refer to unrelated grasses.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![Galium aparine: Small white flowers and rounded young fruits at the tip of a prickly leafy shoot.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-galium-aparine-1.jpg)

**flowers and young fruit** — Small white flowers and rounded young fruits at the tip of a prickly leafy shoot.

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galium_aparine_kz07.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Galium_aparine_kz07.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Other bedstraws can have similar whorled leaves. The source identification is retained, with prickles and paired bristly fruits shown where visible. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![Galium aparine: A whorl of narrow leaves viewed from below, with small backward-pointing prickles along the margins.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-galium-aparine-2.jpg)

**leaf whorl** — A whorl of narrow leaves viewed from below, with small backward-pointing prickles along the margins.

Photo: Harry Rose  from South West Rocks, Australia; [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galium_aparine_leaf3_(14432916838).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Galium_aparine_leaf3_%2814432916838%29.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Other bedstraws can have similar whorled leaves. The source identification is retained, with prickles and paired bristly fruits shown where visible. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![Galium aparine: Paired, bristly dry fruits remaining on a network of thin stems in winter.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-galium-aparine-3.jpg)

**dry fruits** — Paired, bristly dry fruits remaining on a network of thin stems in winter.

Photo: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galium_aparine_Przytulia_czepna_2020-12-30_So%C5%82tysowice_01.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Galium_aparine_Przytulia_czepna_2020-12-30_So%C5%82tysowice_01.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Other bedstraws can have similar whorled leaves. The source identification is retained, with prickles and paired bristly fruits shown where visible. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.


## Identification

A weak-stemmed annual that climbs through other plants. Narrow leaves occur in whorls, typically six to eight; stems and fruits carry hooked hairs. Tiny flowers are pale and four-petaled. [N-galium-aparine](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/)

## People

Scratchy stems and burrs catch on clothing and skin. Gloves are a practical handling precaution. [N-galium-aparine](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/)

*Evidence scope: Mechanical-contact precaution.*

## Dogs & cats

Bristly fruits attach to fur. Check animals after moving through patches; the source does not establish pet ingestion toxicity or a frequency of injury. [N-galium-aparine](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/)

*Evidence scope: Mechanical-contact precaution; clinical evidence unresolved.*

## Other animals

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Plants & habitat

It scrambles through vegetation in woods, floodplains and disturbed sites. CNHP treats it as native in Colorado; other sources discuss uncertainty over its broader origin. [N-galium-aparine](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/) [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf)

## Management & timing

Pull young unwanted plants before flowering. Fragile stems can break and leave roots behind, so check for regrowth. [N-galium-aparine](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/)

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields.
- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **N-galium-aparine** — [Galium aparine](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/galium-aparine/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:23:12+00:00. Locator: Description, identification attributes and plant problems; toxicity section where present.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=catchweed-bedstraw) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 55; Galium aparine. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance.

## Open research questions

- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

Use Galium aparine for evidence matching. A common name such as goosegrass can also refer to unrelated grasses.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| catchweed-bedstraw-1 | Identification | Species-specific | N-galium-aparine | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| catchweed-bedstraw-2 | People | Mechanical-contact precaution | N-galium-aparine | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| catchweed-bedstraw-3 | Dogs & cats | Mechanical-contact precaution; clinical evidence unresolved | N-galium-aparine | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| catchweed-bedstraw-4 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| catchweed-bedstraw-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-galium-aparine, C-floristic-2020 | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| catchweed-bedstraw-6 | Management & timing | Species-specific | N-galium-aparine | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/catchweed-bedstraw/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/catchweed-bedstraw/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/catchweed-bedstraw/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json