Galium californicum subsp. maritimum
Photo: parent species Galium californicum · no rights reserved, uploaded by Alex Heyman · CC0
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium californicum subsp. maritimum is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by woody base, wiry stems, and sharp-pointed hairy leaves.
California bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the central Coast Ranges and central coastal California in coastal bluffs and canyons at elevations of 15 to 200 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white to pale flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with spreading or climbing wiry stems up to 90 centimeters tall, it has a somewhat woody structure with stout, straight to curved hairs. Its leaves are small and sharp-tipped, measuring 4 to 9 millimeters long, ovate in shape with hairy surfaces and margins that feel prickly to the touch. The plant's stems and leaves are characterized by distinctive stiff hairs that give it a slightly rough texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; key features are woody base, wiry stems, and sharp-pointed hairy leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, canyons
Elevation: 15-200(230) m
Bloom period
Galium californicum subsp. maritimum 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. maritimum native to California?
Yes. Galium californicum subsp. maritimum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium californicum subsp. maritimum bloom?
Galium californicum subsp. maritimum blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Galium californicum subsp. maritimum belong to?
Galium californicum subsp. maritimum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium californicum subsp. maritimum grow in?
Galium californicum subsp. maritimum grows in Coastal bluffs, canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Galium catalinense subsp. catalinense — Santa catalina island bedstraw
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.