Field Madder

Sherardia arvensis

Plant Data

Order:

Gentianales

Family:

Rubiaceae (Bedstraw)

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Flowers:

Tiny pale pink, 4 petals, surrounded by leaf-like bracts.

Fruit:

Egg-shaped, up to 3mm long, with 2 lobes that separate into oblong and slightly curved nutlets upon ripening.

Leaves:

The leaves are in whorls of 4 to 6 along the stems. Each leaf is linear and pointed, up to 8mm long.

Maximum Size:

40cm tall.

Other Names:

Blue Field Madder, Herb Sherard, Meadow Bedstraw, Spurwort.

Habitats:

Cliffs, farmland, grassland, hedgerows, lawns, roadsides, sand dunes, wasteland.