Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense
Borrego bedstraw, Borrego Bedstraw
Photo: parent species Galium angustifolium · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense (Borrego bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation in desert plus distinctive habitat and leaf size.
Borrego bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in southern desert regions including Palm, Hellhole canyons, Pinyon Mountain Valley, and San Diego County in granitic habitats among boulders on northern slopes at elevations of 350 to 1,250 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers in dense, many-flowered clusters. Growing with slender stems 35 to 60 centimeters tall, it has a woody base with stems featuring distinctive ridges wider than their grooves. Its leaves are very narrow, less than 8 millimeters long, and the plant remains completely glabrous except for hairy external flower corollas. The delicate structure and sparse growth make this bedstraw a subtle but characteristic component of its rocky desert habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; geographic isolation in desert plus distinctive habitat and leaf size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Among boulders, granitic northern slopes
Elevation: 350-1250 m
California counties: San Diego, Imperial
Bloom period
Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 subsp. borregoense native to California?
Yes. Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense bloom?
Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense grow?
Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense occurs in San Diego, Imperial, at elevations of 350-1250 m.
What plant family does Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense belong to?
Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense rare or endangered?
Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3?.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Galium angustifolium subsp. nudicaule
- Galium angustifolium subsp. onycense — Onyx peak bedstraw
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.