By Dungy
limousin,
France 
Its not a question more of a warning,
Because of all this rain we've had this season so far the weed known as sticky willy or the velcro weed, "call it what you like,
correct name is "Gallium-Aparine"
It feels very much like velcro and sticks to anything plants, tools, skin, animals, socks.
It covers all in its path and blocks light out from its victim,
the good thing ref this growing weeds is it pulls off its victim very easily, and after its seeded it dies until the next wet season,
it lives on wet damp time of the year, (april showers)
years ago it was used as a herb, in bedding to freshen up the mattress, even as a diet aid in the form of a drink.
It's a pain to get rid of and can harm skin if your skin is of a delicate nature so wear long sleeved clothing and gloves if you intend to pull it out,
Much to my dislike of chemicle weed killers glysophate when the weed is down to its very low stage "away from other plants" is one way to get it killed, if you can dig the roots out so much the better,
the only problem is you dont know its a problem until its grown and it grows like hell 6 feet high is the norm if it can cling to any climbing plants or shrub.
If you want to see a picture of this plant google velcro like weed and you'll see what it looks like.
20 Jun, 2013
Answers
Bobbys buttons in my neck of the woods......just a nuisance when its sticks to my socks.....
20 Jun, 2013
We've just had the first rain of weeks... ground were we are not watering very dry. I agree with Kildermorie Stickwilly is pretty harmless and easy to pull out and, yes, do wear long sleeves and gloves.
20 Jun, 2013
Just pull it all out soon. It has tiny white flowers which are out now. Its only an annual but whatever you do don't let it set seed. there's no need to dig it - just pull the tops off(Which was doing yesterday...)
Just remembered - there was a question about this yesterday too.
20 Jun, 2013
Moon growe .
why is it called stickwilly?
20 Jun, 2013
Oops that should have been 'stickywilly', and I've no idea Dungy just the local name for it here in Scotland, where I was brought up it was called goose grass. I must say I find it a fascinating plant as it climbs over the top of just about anything!
20 Jun, 2013
Im saying nothing Moon growe,
Nothing at all (but ive a big grin on my face)
just wondering how you'd reply.
Have a nice one.
20 Jun, 2013
I asked about it yesterday. If you have loads as I have I read that the seed bank will take a few years to deplete so pulling it up is crucial so as not to add to the bank. It is relatively harmless but when you start with an empty gatden spend hundreds on plants just to have them over run it is a blasted pain.
20 Jun, 2013
Dungy - I will not tell you what my SO, Bulbas, comment was... All I will say it the word kilt was in it!
20 Jun, 2013
Weeds......like slugs......must have their uses in the scheme of things but sometimes its hard to see it. :0)
21 Jun, 2013
Lol MG!
21 Jun, 2013
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We used to play with it as kids as it sticks to clothes - there are a lot of other weeds that are much more problematic. Stickywilly is harmless to my eyes.
20 Jun, 2013