Galium angustifolium
Narrowly leaved bedstraw
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium angustifolium (Narrowly leaved bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family.
Narrowly leaved bedstraw is a California native perennial herb found throughout California's coastal ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Transverse Ranges in dry, rocky habitats at elevations from 100 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small rotate flowers in clusters, ranging from red to yellow in color. Growing with slender stems 15 to 100 centimeters tall, it forms low, tufted clusters with woody bases that spread across rocky ground. Its distinctive leaves grow in whorls of four, appearing as narrow, strap-shaped structures with three prominent veins. The plant produces small nutlets with dense, long, and spreading hairs that give it a distinctive textural appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Orange, Monterey, Inyo, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare
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 angustifolium native to California?
Yes. Galium angustifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Galium angustifolium grow?
Galium angustifolium occurs in Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Orange and other counties.
What plant family does Galium angustifolium belong to?
Galium angustifolium is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Galium angustifolium subsp. angustifolium
- Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense — Borrego bedstraw
- Galium angustifolium subsp. foliosum
- Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense — San antonio canyon bedstraw
- Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum — Slender bedstraw
- Galium angustifolium subsp. jacinticum — San jacinto mountains bedstraw
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.