Crosswort – Cruciata laevipes

Plant : Crosswort is a native wild flower and is common in hedgerow, woodland and shrub land in rural Northumberland.  The stems grow along the ground and raise erect shoots, up to 60 cm high.  The shoots have a distinctive and geometic arrangement of flowers and leaves.  The shoots have a square section and at each node along their length there is a regular pattern of four thin leaves and twelve tiny flowers.  This gives the distinctive cross behind its name.  It is a member of the Rubiaceae family.

Flower : The yellow flowers have four petals and four stamen.  It flowers in May and June.

Pollen : Click here to see more about Cruciata laevipes pollen.

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