Galium californicum subsp. sierrae

El dorado bedstraw, El Dorado Bedstraw

Family: Rubiaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered

El dorado bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Foothill regions of El Dorado County in open pine, oak forests, and chaparral at elevations of 100 to 500 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces small white flowers with hairy exteriors. Growing with weak, slender stems 7 to 14 centimeters tall, it forms a delicate cushion-like or weakly tufted structure with many straight, soft hairs. Its leaves are narrow and small, less than 20 millimeters long, with acute tips featuring a distinctive terminal hair. The plant produces minute-hairy fruits that complement its delicate, soft-textured growth habit.

Habitat: Open pine, oak forests, chaparral

Bloom period: Mar-Jul

Elevation: 100-500 m

Bioregions: n SNF (El Dorado Co.).

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