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.