IDENTIFICATION
Regional Noxious. Annual, can overwinter.
Cleavers has narrow leaves arranged in a distinctive pattern -
whorls of six to eight leaves around a solitary stem. Clusters of three
to five small white flowers rise on branchlets from the centres of the
whorls. The stems are weak with few branches and may climb or trail along
the ground.
DAMAGE
Cleavers reduces yield in forage and grain crops, and contaminates
crop seed. It clings to other plants, competing for light, moisture, and
nutrients, and becomes entangled in harvesting equipment.
HABITAT
In British Columbia, cleavers is found in moderately dry to moist
fields, lawns, gardens, disturbed areas, beaches, and open forests at
low- to mid-elevations. It is considered a major concern in the Peace
River region.
SPREAD
Planting contaminated canola is the main cause of spread, as seeds are
similar and difficult to separate. Harvesting equipment, animals, humans,
and contaminated manure also disperse the seeds.
