Galium californicum subsp. californicum
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium californicum subsp. californicum is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family.
California bedstraw is a California native perennial found in northern coastal and central western California in shady to open conifer or mixed forest, chaparral, sea cliffs, and hillsides at elevations of 15 to 1,520 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing in open mats or tangled masses up to 32 centimeters tall, with stems that are occasionally woody at the base and covered in coarse hairs. Its leaves are soft and delicate, measuring 6 to 18 millimeters long, with ovate to elliptic shapes and obtuse to abruptly acute tips. The fruits are characteristically hairy, adding texture to this versatile ground-covering plant.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shady to open places, conifer or mixed forest, chaparral, sea cliffs, hillsides
Elevation: 15-1520 m
California counties: Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey, Lake, Santa Cruz, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Shasta, San Benito, San Diego, Contra Costa, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, Trinity, Napa, Humboldt, Alameda, Colusa, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Galium californicum subsp. californicum blooms Mar-Jul.
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 californicum subsp. californicum native to California?
Yes. Galium californicum subsp. californicum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium californicum subsp. californicum bloom?
Galium californicum subsp. californicum blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Galium californicum subsp. californicum grow?
Galium californicum subsp. californicum occurs in Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey, Lake, Santa Cruz, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of 15-1520 m.
What plant family does Galium californicum subsp. californicum belong to?
Galium californicum subsp. californicum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium californicum subsp. californicum grow in?
Galium californicum subsp. californicum grows in Shady to open places, conifer or mixed forest, chaparral, sea cliffs, hillsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum
- Galium californicum subsp. luciense — Cone peak bedstraw
- Galium californicum subsp. maritimum
- Galium californicum subsp. miguelense — San miguel island bedstraw
- Galium californicum subsp. primum — Alvin meadow bedstraw
- Galium californicum subsp. sierrae — El dorado bedstraw
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.