Galium tomentosum leaves and flowers

    Galium tomentosum leaves and flowers

    The flowers of Galium tomentosum are small, growing in branched, cyme-shaped clusters. Each flower has four tiny pale yellow or greenish petals. The pedicels of the flowers are long and hairy. Flowering happens in spring.

    The rounded fruits of G. tomentosum containing big seeds are initially pale, turning black as they ripen.

    These fruits are said to have formed part of traditional medicine, used in the treatment of backache (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).