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, glabrous, 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 increases on welting and then 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. High doses can cause headaches, and very high doses (far beyond those found in the afore-mentioned drinks) can even have mind-altering properties, so some common sense should be applied when consuming woodruff. 3 grams of woodruff per litre of Maiwein is considered safe in Germany.