Galium bolanderi
Bolander's bedstraw
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium bolanderi (Bolander's bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by unequal leaf pairs, 3-veined leaves, and berry fruits on dioecious plants.
Bolander's bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and northern southern Coast Ranges in open mixed or conifer forest, dense chaparral, and rocky slopes at elevations of 150 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces red or occasionally yellow flowers in small rotate-shaped clusters. Growing with stout stems 15 to 36 centimeters tall, it forms tufted or slightly climbing clumps with a woody base. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, arranged in two unequal pairs, measuring 6 to 27 millimeters long, narrow to elliptic in shape with acute tips and obscure three-veined structure. The plant produces small berries that can be hairy or smooth, reflecting its variable and adaptable nature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 48 sympatric species; key features are unequal leaf pairs, 3-veined leaves, and berry fruits on dioecious plants
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open mixed or conifer forest, dense chaparral, generally rocky slopes or banks
Elevation: 150-2600 m
California counties: Fresno, Placer, Tuolumne, Lake, Tulare, Siskiyou, Madera, Kern, Modoc, Nevada, Shasta, Trinity, Mariposa, Plumas, Tehama, Humboldt, El Dorado, Napa, Butte, Mendocino, Sonoma, Lassen, Calaveras, Sierra, Del Norte, Solano, Santa Barbara, Yuba, Amador, Colusa, Glenn, Mono, Yolo, Santa Clara, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Galium bolanderi blooms May-Aug.
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 bolanderi native to California?
Yes. Galium bolanderi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium bolanderi bloom?
Galium bolanderi blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Galium bolanderi grow?
Galium bolanderi occurs in Fresno, Placer, Tuolumne, Lake, Tulare, Siskiyou, Madera, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 150-2600 m.
What plant family does Galium bolanderi belong to?
Galium bolanderi is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium bolanderi grow in?
Galium bolanderi grows in Open mixed or conifer forest, dense chaparral, generally rocky slopes or banks.
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.