![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/14FfQCfd6zMlqu0w4hNfKl/24d36a78343048c1ed29a42f8c824427/cleavers_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=1080&q=85)
Cleavers
Galium aparine
Importance
A few cleavers can cause lodging, seriously hindering cereal harvest. The large seeds can invade the cereal grain and the moisture can cause drying and storage problems.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/1S0RKWZH9j8kzVU62le2oY/c0d1a9d627e081f8e749ffce7ef0301c/cleavers_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
1. Cotyledons are large and oblong in shape, with a distinctive notch at the apex of the leaf blade. Sometimes the cotyledons are purple in colour, but dark green is more usual.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/4UGTCmSSTiSctj3ye4JLgD/70c7ee88e3aa36feb22cd75896c3db3b/cleavers_03.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
2. True leaves arise in whorls or rings around the square stems of the plant and are lance-shaped, covered with sticky hairs.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/T6ddueMCD4J7hnw837mRg/5106639e63387449935699cff522f0b1/cleavers_04.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
3. A climbing annual; the whole plant is straggling and sticky.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/1h0qvud54Zy9GzLekPOd5R/677728ff5c36c4492f44e69e75b97e83/FieldMate_Promo_Mobile.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)