A perennial which carpets calcareous, shady woodland and damp places, Woodruff is a low-growing hairless plant which only reaches about 25cm tall. Its stems are square and they bear loose heads of small, white, star-shaped, 4-petalled flowers (3-5mm across). They bloom in May and June. The lanceolate leaves are in whorls of 8, the margins edged with tiny bristles. Scented – some say of hay – this is a native wildflower which belongs to the Rubiaceae family.
I first identified this plant growing near Kilmacurragh, Co Wicklow in 2009 and I photographed it on that occasion.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
