Is goosegrass the same as cleavers?

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

While the names are often used interchangeably, and both can be considered weeds, goosegrass and cleavers are not the same plant. Many different plants are colloquially called "goosegrass," which can lead to confusion, but the key to distinguishing them lies in knowing their specific botanical names and characteristics.

Quick Summary

Cleavers (Galium aparine) and goosegrass (Eleusine indica) are two completely different plants, despite sharing a common name. Cleavers is a sticky, clinging herb in the coffee family, while goosegrass is a smooth, silvery-based grass. Their distinct growth habits, physical features, and identification points are crucial for proper gardening and management.

Key Points

Two Different Plants: Despite sharing a common name, goosegrass (Eleusine indica) is a grass, while cleavers (Galium aparine) is a sticky, clinging herb.
Sticky vs. Smooth: The easiest way to tell them apart is that cleavers clings to everything with hooked hairs, whereas goosegrass is a smooth-stemmed grass.
Leaf Arrangement: Cleavers has leaves in distinctive whorls around a square stem, while goosegrass has flattened, folded grass blades.
Seedhead Differences: Goosegrass produces a zipper-like seedhead, completely unlike the small, bristly burrs produced by cleavers.
Different Management Strategies: Control methods for the grassy weed goosegrass (like turf management) are different from those for the herbaceous cleavers (like manual pulling or mulching).
Edible vs. Weed: Cleavers is a traditional edible and medicinal herb, but goosegrass is primarily known as an invasive lawn weed.

Goosegrass vs. Cleavers: Clearing the Confusion

Confusion between "goosegrass" and "cleavers" is a widespread problem for gardeners and foragers alike, primarily because the common name "goosegrass" can refer to multiple, unrelated plant species. The most common source of confusion is the sticky, clambering herb Galium aparine, which is known by many names, including both cleavers and goosegrass. However, a completely different plant, the annual grass Eleusine indica, is also frequently called goosegrass. Understanding the distinct botanical differences is the key to accurate identification.

Cleavers (Galium aparine): The Sticky Herb

Cleavers is a fast-growing, annual, scrambling herb found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and is most famously known for its "sticky" nature, which allows it to cling to clothing and animal fur.

Identifying characteristics of cleavers:

Growth Habit: Sprawling, scrambling, and clambering over other vegetation.
Stems: Square, with backward-pointing hooked bristles that make the plant sticky.
Leaves: Arranged in whorls (rings) of six to eight around the stem.
Flowers: Small, greenish-white, four-petaled flowers that appear from May to August.
Seeds: Small, round, and covered in hooked hairs that aid dispersal.

Goosegrass (Eleusine indica): The Turfgrass Weed

In contrast to cleavers, the plant most commonly referred to as goosegrass is a summer annual grass, which belongs to the grass family (Poaceae). It is a major nuisance in lawns, turf, and compacted soil.

Identifying characteristics of goosegrass:

Growth Habit: Forms a flat, mat-like clump or rosette with flattened stems.
Stems: Flattened, smooth, and have a distinctive silvery-white color at the base.
Leaves: Dark green, with blades that are folded in the bud and a conspicuous midvein.
Flowers: Forms distinctive seedheads with 2–7 spikes radiating from a single point, resembling a zipper or a crow's foot.
Seeds: Tiny, reddish-brown seeds contained in the zipper-like seedheads.

Comparison Table: Cleavers vs. Goosegrass


Feature	Cleavers (Galium aparine)	Goosegrass (Eleusine indica)
Plant Family	Rubiaceae (Coffee Family)	Poaceae (Grass Family)
Growth Habit	Sprawling, climbing, "sticky" herb	Mat-like clump, low-growing grass
Stems	Square, weak stems with backward-pointing hooked hairs	Flattened, whitish/silvery at the base
Leaves	Arranged in whorls of 6-8, lance-shaped	Flat or folded blades, prominent midvein
Flowers	Small, white, and star-shaped	Distinctive seedheads with 2-7 zipper-like spikes
Seeds/Fruit	Small, round, bristly burrs	Tiny, reddish-brown seed in zipper-like head
Dispersal	Clings to fur and clothing with hooked bristles	Seeds dispersed by wind, water, machinery, and animals

Beyond Identification: Management and Use

Knowing the difference between these two plants is crucial for proper management. A weed control strategy for a broadleaf herb like cleavers will differ significantly from that for an annual turfgrass weed like goosegrass. For example, manual removal of young cleavers is effective, while the fibrous root system of mature goosegrass can make it difficult to pull.

Interestingly, their uses also differ widely. Cleavers (Galium aparine) has historical medicinal uses as a diuretic and lymphatic aid and can be consumed as a spring tonic. In contrast, Eleusine indica has been used as a productive forage and, in times of scarcity, for food, but is generally considered an aggressive weed.

Conclusion

In summary, while the terms "goosegrass" and "cleavers" are often muddled, they refer to two completely distinct plant species. The sticky, whorled-leaf plant is always Galium aparine (cleavers), whereas the mat-forming grass with zipper-like seedheads is Eleusine indica (goosegrass). Proper identification is essential for effective gardening and weed control, ensuring you apply the right management techniques for the specific plant in question.

A Final Thought for Foragers

For those interested in foraging, the distinction is particularly important. While Galium aparine is a well-known edible and medicinal herb, consuming an unidentified grass is generally not recommended. Always be certain of a plant's identity before consumption. A deeper look at cleavers' properties is available from the EBSCO Complementary and Alternative Medicine database.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is that cleavers is a sticky, broadleaf herb, while goosegrass is a grass. Cleavers clings to you with tiny hooked hairs, while goosegrass is identified by its flat, silvery stems and zipper-like seedheads.

The confusion arises because the common name "goosegrass" is colloquially applied to both the sticky herb Galium aparine (cleavers) and the grassy weed Eleusine indica.

Yes, but they are different plants. Galium aparine is sometimes called goosegrass because geese are said to eat it, while Eleusine indica is also palatable to livestock when young.

Look closely at the plant's structure. If it is a vining plant with whorls of sticky leaves, it's cleavers. If it's a clumping grass with flat, silvery stems and a zipper-like seedhead, it's goosegrass.

Both can be considered invasive weeds, but in different contexts. Cleavers is a persistent weed that spreads rapidly in disturbed soil, while goosegrass is a particularly tough, resilient grass weed in lawns and compacted areas.

Cleavers (Galium aparine) has a history of traditional use in herbal medicine and for food. The tender young shoots can be cooked and consumed, but it's important to be certain of the plant's identity and consult a healthcare professional, especially if pregnant or on medication.

For cleavers, hand-pulling before seeds set, hoeing, or applying mulch are effective. For goosegrass, which thrives in compacted soil, aeration and targeted post-emergent herbicides can be used in lawns, along with preventive measures like pre-emergent treatments.