Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family.
California bedstraw is a California native perennial found in southern coastal ranges, northern Channel Islands, western Transverse Ranges, and San Gabriel Mountains in open or dense non-coastal woodland at elevations of 30 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers with soft, fine corollas. Growing with delicate stems 16 to 61 centimeters tall that feature dense, soft hairs, it spreads with a non-woody habit. Its leaves are generally elliptic, 6 to 25 millimeters long with obtuse tips, arranged in whorled patterns along the slender stems. The fruits are typically covered in soft hairs, giving the plant a distinctive textured appearance.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open or dense non-coastal woodland
Elevation: 30-1500 m
California counties: Ventura, Monterey, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Yolo, Alameda, Marin, Santa Cruz, San Diego
Bloom period
Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum 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. flaccidum native to California?
Yes. Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum bloom?
Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum grow?
Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum occurs in Ventura, Monterey, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Colusa, Yolo and other counties, at elevations of 30-1500 m.
What plant family does Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum belong to?
Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum grow in?
Galium californicum subsp. flaccidum grows in Open or dense non-coastal woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Galium catalinense — Santa Catalina Island 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.