Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense
San antonio canyon bedstraw, San Antonio Canyon Bedstraw
Photo: parent species Galium angustifolium · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense (San antonio canyon bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation in San Gabriel Mountains plus distinctive tufted, hairy habit.
San antonio canyon bedstraw is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the San Gabriel Mountains in slopes, ridges, open forest, and high chaparral at elevations of 1,200 to 2,650 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces yellow or reddish flowers that are hairy on the external surface. Growing with tufted stems 6 to 36 centimeters tall that are woody at the base and have ridges narrower than the grooves between them. Its leaves are generally 2 to 14 millimeters long, arranged in narrow, few-flowered clusters. The plant forms dense, compact tufts with distinctively hairy stems and delicate flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; geographic isolation in San Gabriel Mountains plus distinctive tufted, hairy habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, ridges, open forest, high chaparral
Elevation: 1200-2650 m
Bloom period
Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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. gabrielense native to California?
Yes. Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense bloom?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense belong to?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense rare or endangered?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense grow in?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense grows in Slopes, ridges, open forest, high chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.