Galium californicum subsp. miguelense
San miguel island bedstraw, San Miguel Island Bedstraw
Photo: parent species Galium californicum · no rights reserved, uploaded by Alex Heyman · CC0
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Galium californicum subsp. miguelense (San miguel island bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by Channel Island location, cushion habit, leathery leaves, and yellow hairless flowers.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; key features are Channel Island location, cushion habit, leathery leaves, and yellow hairless flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy or sandy coastal slopes
Elevation: 30-60 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Galium californicum subsp. miguelense blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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. miguelense native to California?
Yes. Galium californicum subsp. miguelense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium californicum subsp. miguelense bloom?
Galium californicum subsp. miguelense blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Galium californicum subsp. miguelense grow?
Galium californicum subsp. miguelense occurs in Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 30-60 m.
What plant family does Galium californicum subsp. miguelense belong to?
Galium californicum subsp. miguelense is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium californicum subsp. miguelense rare or endangered?
Galium californicum subsp. miguelense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Galium clementis — Santa lucia 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.