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Woodruff is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to Europe, western Asia and north Africa. It grows to 30-50 cm long, often lying flat on the ground or supported on other plants. The leaves are simple lanceolate, glabgous, 2-5 cm long, and in whorls of 6-9.
The flowers are produced in cymes, small (4-7 mm diameter), white, with four petals joined together at the base. The seeds are 2-4 mm diameter, produced singly, each seed covered in tiny hooked bristles which help disperse the seed by sticking temporarily to animal fur.
Uses
Woodruff, as the scientific name odoratum suggests, is a strongly scented plant, the sweet scent being derived from coumarin. This scent persists on drying, and woodruff is used in pot-pourri and as a moth deterrent. It is also used to flavour wine (Maiwein), beer (Berliner Weiße), brandy and jam, and to make a herbal tea with gentle sedative properties.
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