Galium boreale
Northern bedstraw
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium boreale (Northern bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by distinctive tall habit, 3-veined leathery leaves with rolled margins, and large terminal flower clusters.
Northern bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, central Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in wet places and disturbed roadsides at elevations of 15 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white, rotate flowers in terminal panicles with many small blossoms. Growing with erect stems 30 to 60 centimeters tall that are nearly glabrous to slightly hairy, it forms distinctive vegetative clusters. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, linear to widely lanceolate, 13 to 31 millimeters long with leathery texture and margins rolled underneath. The fruit develops as small nutlets with short, upcurved hairs that add texture to the plant's delicate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; distinctive tall habit, 3-veined leathery leaves with rolled margins, and large terminal flower clusters
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places or disturbed roadsides
Elevation: 15-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Del Norte, Plumas, Lassen, Mariposa
Outside California: North America except southeastern United States, Eurasia
Bloom period
Galium boreale blooms Jun-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 boreale native to California?
Yes. Galium boreale is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium boreale bloom?
Galium boreale blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Galium boreale grow?
Galium boreale occurs in Siskiyou, Del Norte, Plumas, Lassen, Mariposa, at elevations of 15-2000 m.
What plant family does Galium boreale belong to?
Galium boreale is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium boreale grow in?
Galium boreale grows in Wet places or disturbed roadsides.
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.