Galium californicum subsp. luciense
Cone peak bedstraw, Cone Peak Bedstraw
Photo: parent species Galium californicum · no rights reserved, uploaded by Alex Heyman · CC0
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Galium californicum subsp. luciense (Cone peak bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by gray-hairy mat habit and densely hairy reproductive parts.
Cone peak bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the northern Santa Lucia Range in pine and oak forests at elevations of 1,100 to 1,370 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers with densely coarse-hairy corollas. Growing as a low, spreading mat with stems 5 to 16 centimeters long, it forms a delicate ground-hugging form. Its leaves are generally 3 to 6 millimeters long, elliptic in shape with acute tips, and have a soft, grayish appearance. The plant's fruit is notably covered in dense hairs, contributing to its distinctive gray-green texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; key features are gray-hairy mat habit and densely hairy reproductive parts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine, oak forests
Elevation: 1100-1370 m
California counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Galium californicum subsp. luciense blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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. luciense native to California?
Yes. Galium californicum subsp. luciense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium californicum subsp. luciense bloom?
Galium californicum subsp. luciense blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Galium californicum subsp. luciense grow?
Galium californicum subsp. luciense occurs in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 1100-1370 m.
What plant family does Galium californicum subsp. luciense belong to?
Galium californicum subsp. luciense is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium californicum subsp. luciense rare or endangered?
Galium californicum subsp. luciense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Galium catalinense subsp. acrispum — San clemente island bedstraw
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.