Galium clementis
Santa lucia bedstraw
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Galium clementis (Santa lucia bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by cushion habit, narrow rolled-margin leaves, and berry fruits.
Santa lucia bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the northern Santa Lucia Range in open woodland on north-facing slopes at elevations of 1,130 to 1,780 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces small, rotate yellow flowers with external hairs in few-flowered clusters. Growing as a low, cushion-like herb with stems 8 to 13 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, gray-hairy growth habit. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4 or occasionally 6, with narrow linear blades 2 to 7 millimeters long, having margins rolled under and tapered to slightly obtuse tips. The plant produces small hairy berries in its pistillate inflorescences.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; key features are cushion habit, narrow rolled-margin leaves, and berry fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: N-facing slopes, open woodland
Elevation: 1130-1780 m
Bloom period
Galium clementis blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 clementis native to California?
Yes. Galium clementis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium clementis bloom?
Galium clementis blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Galium clementis belong to?
Galium clementis is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium clementis rare or endangered?
Galium clementis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Galium clementis grow in?
Galium clementis grows in N-facing slopes, open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.