Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra)

   Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra), fam. Rubiaceae.
   A perennial herb up to 50 cm height. Occurs in the forest quite rarely – at first, it was only found around the crossing of the electricity transmission line going through the forest to Knyazhichi village with the railway – in a humid place near the river. Other occurences have been found later.
   Blooms in May. Both the flowers and every node on the stem of the plant look like a symmetrical ctoss. This makes it different from the closely related Lady's Bedstraw, which leaves are arranged by 6. Slender crosswort is an overall inconspicuous plant, but while blooming it spreads a very distinct sweet and stuffy aroma. This was the primary reason why the first group of Crossworts has been found – the interest where does that smell come from.

Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra) Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra) Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra) Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra) Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra) Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra) Slender Crosswort (Cruciata glabra)