Galium californicum subsp. miguelense

San miguel island bedstraw, San Miguel Island Bedstraw

Family: Rubiaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 4.2

San miguel island bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 4.2) California native perennial found in northern Channel Islands on grassy or sandy coastal slopes at elevations of 30 to 60 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small yellow flowers in delicate clusters. Growing as a low, cushion-like herb with woody base, it forms compact mounds 15 to 45 centimeters tall with short internodes and congested leaves. Its leaves are tiny, widely ovate, and leathery, measuring 2 to 8 millimeters long with margins slightly rolled under and acute to obtuse tips. The plant's distinctive structure includes stout, recurved-prickly hairs and a compact growth habit that allows it to thrive in coastal environments.

Habitat: Grassy or sandy coastal slopes

Bloom period: Mar-Jul

Elevation: 30-60 m

Bioregions: n ChI.

California counties: Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.