Galium ambiguum
Yolla bolly bedstraw
(c) Dominic Gentilcore, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dominic Gentilcore · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Galium ambiguum (Yolla bolly bedstraw) is a native California herb in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by dioecious habit, berry fruits, and matted growth form.
Yolla bolly bedstraw is a California native perennial herb found in mountain habitats at elevations between 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small yellow to white flowers in delicate rotate (wheel-shaped) clusters. Growing low and matted with erect stems 5 to 16 centimeters tall, it forms dense, ground-hugging patches. Its leaves grow in distinctive whorls of 4, measuring 6 to 16 millimeters long, with linear shape and acute tips adorned with long bristles and ciliate margins. The plant bears small berries that can be glabrous or slightly hairy, contributing to its unique alpine character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 30 sympatric species; key features are dioecious habit, berry fruits, and matted growth form
Habitat and range
California counties: Mendocino, Trinity, Tehama, Humboldt, Yolo, Del Norte, Shasta, Siskiyou
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 ambiguum native to California?
Yes. Galium ambiguum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Galium ambiguum grow?
Galium ambiguum occurs in Mendocino, Trinity, Tehama, Humboldt, Yolo, Del Norte, Shasta, Siskiyou.
What plant family does Galium ambiguum belong to?
Galium ambiguum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.