# asperula

**Pronunciation:** /æspəˈruːlə/ · as-peh-ROO-lah

**Part of speech:** noun

## Meaning

A genus of small, often mat-forming herbaceous plants in the coffee family, commonly known as woodruff.

## Examples

- Gardeners often plant asperula in shaded rockeries to create a dense, green ground cover.
- The sweet, hay-like scent of dried asperula is often used in traditional sachets and potpourri.
- Botanists distinguish the various species of asperula by the specific arrangement of their whorled leaves.

## Synonyms

- woodruff — The common name for plants within this genus.
- herb — A general term for a plant with non-woody stems.
- groundcover — Describes the plant's habit of growing low and spreading.
- perennial — Refers to the plant's ability to live for many years.

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