At this time of year I look for signs of spring, bright green amongst fallen bronze.
So what’s this poking its way up through a carpet of ground ivy, both seeking light beneath the beech leaves? It's Galium aparine! known locally as gratteron or kleefkruid.
Naming runs riot in English. Here are a few:
Sticky willy, Sticky jack, Sticky weed, Catchweed, Clivers, Cleavers, Goosegrass (apparently geese like it, although I’ve never seen one browsing a hedgerow), Hedge-burrs, Grip-grass, Robin-run-the-hedge (one of those plants so long part of our lives that it gets a familiar human name), Love vine, Beggar-lice and Coachweed, to name only some.
Love vine. Talk about entanglement.
Sticky willy. That’s pure playground.
Can you add to the list? Any language is welcome.