Galium buxifolium
Box bedstraw
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Delisted
Galium buxifolium (Box bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by unique shrubby growth form makes it distinctive among herbaceous congeners.
Box bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the northern Channel Islands on rocky bluffs and slopes at elevations of 10 to 400 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers in dense, leafy clusters emerging from woody stem nodes. Growing 3 to 6 decimeters tall with an erect form, it has a glabrous to slightly scabrous appearance. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, measuring 8 to 30 millimeters long, with elliptic to widely oblanceolate shapes that are leathery and rounded, occasionally with a small pointed tip. The fruit consists of nutlets with curved hairs pointing toward the tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; unique shrubby growth form makes it distinctive among herbaceous congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky bluffs, slopes
Elevation: 10-400 m
Bloom period
Galium buxifolium blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Delisted
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 buxifolium native to California?
Yes. Galium buxifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium buxifolium bloom?
Galium buxifolium blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Galium buxifolium belong to?
Galium buxifolium is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium buxifolium rare or endangered?
Galium buxifolium carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Galium buxifolium grow in?
Galium buxifolium grows in Rocky bluffs, slopes.
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.