Galium acrispum
San clemente island bedstraw
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Family: Rubiaceae · Native
Galium acrispum (San clemente island bedstraw) is a native California plant in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by Only Galium of San Clemente I.; robust erect scabrous SHRUB to 12 dm, stout rigid stems, enlarged nodes.
San Clemente Island bedstraw is a California native shrub found only on San Clemente Island in the South Channel Islands bioregion, growing on rocky slopes and cliffs from 3 to 453 meters elevation. Flowering from April to July, it forms an erect, rigid shrub to about 1.2 meters with stout stems, enlarged nodes, and narrowly oblanceolate leaves in whorls of four. Its rotate flowers are whitish, and its nutlets bear sparse to dense long, straight, spreading hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Galium of San Clemente I.; robust erect scabrous SHRUB to 12 dm, stout rigid stems, enlarged nodes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, cliffs
Elevation: 3--453 m
Bloom period
Galium acrispum blooms Apr--Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Galium has whorled leaves and tiny flowers; Eriogonum has alternate/basal leaves and dense flower clusters with papery bracts.; vs Sherardia: Galium flowers have stalks and no sepals; Sherardia flowers lack stalks and have six prominent sepals.; vs Baccharis: Galium has whorled leaves and tiny four-petaled flowers; Baccharis has alternate leaves and composite flower heads.; vs Lupinus: Galium has whorled narrow leaves and tiny rotate flowers; Lupinus has palmate compound leaves and pea-like flowers.; vs Euphorbia: Galium has whorled leaves and four-petaled flowers; Euphorbia has alternate leaves and milky sap with specialized flower cups.
Frequently asked questions
Is Galium acrispum native to California?
Yes. Galium acrispum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium acrispum bloom?
Galium acrispum blooms Apr--Jul.
What plant family does Galium acrispum belong to?
Galium acrispum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium acrispum grow in?
Galium acrispum grows in Rocky slopes, cliffs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.