Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum
Slender bedstraw, Slender Bedstraw
Photo: parent species Galium angustifolium · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum (Slender bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by distinctive slender glabrous habit, granite boulder habitat, and small fruits.
Slender bedstraw is a California native perennial ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in the southern Transverse Ranges, eastern San Jacinto Mountains, desert mountains, and southern desert regions in shaded granite canyon habitats at elevations of 130 to 1,550 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small white flowers in few-flowered, open clusters. Growing with slender stems up to 40 centimeters tall, it has a woody base with distinctive ridge-and-groove stem structure. Its leaves are relatively short, generally 4 to 18 millimeters long, with a slightly rough texture that becomes scabrous to the touch. The plant is notably delicate, with nearly glabrous stems and minimal hairiness on its flower structures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 38 sympatric species; distinctive slender glabrous habit, granite boulder habitat, and small fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded places among granite boulders in canyons, on outcrops
Elevation: 130-1550 m
Bloom period
Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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. gracillimum native to California?
Yes. Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum bloom?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum belong to?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum rare or endangered?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
What habitat does Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum grow in?
Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum grows in Shaded places among granite boulders in canyons, on outcrops.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.