Galium californicum subsp. sierrae
El dorado bedstraw, El Dorado Bedstraw
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Galium californicum subsp. sierrae (El dorado bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by El Dorado County location, very long narrow leaves with terminal hair.
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.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; key features are El Dorado County location, very long narrow leaves with terminal hair
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open pine, oak forests, chaparral
Elevation: 100-500 m
Bloom period
Galium californicum subsp. sierrae blooms Mar-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
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. sierrae native to California?
Yes. Galium californicum subsp. sierrae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium californicum subsp. sierrae bloom?
Galium californicum subsp. sierrae blooms Mar-Jul.
What plant family does Galium californicum subsp. sierrae belong to?
Galium californicum subsp. sierrae is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium californicum subsp. sierrae rare or endangered?
Galium californicum subsp. sierrae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Galium californicum subsp. sierrae grow in?
Galium californicum subsp. sierrae grows in Open pine, oak forests, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Galium cliftonsmithii — Santa barbara bedstraw
- Galium divaricatum — Lamarck's 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.