Galium cliftonsmithii
Santa barbara bedstraw, Santa Barbara Bedstraw
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Galium cliftonsmithii (Santa barbara bedstraw) is a native California shrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by climbing habit, stout shiny stems, and white berry fruits.
Santa barbara bedstraw is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Southern Coast Ranges and Western Transverse Ranges in coastal canyons, chaparral, and dry banks at elevations of 200 to 1,220 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small yellow flowers in delicate clusters along its branches. Growing with climbing stems 3 to 18 decimeters tall, the plant has stout, woody, and shiny stems that are slightly rough to the touch. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, measuring 7 to 15 millimeters long, with ovate to elliptic shapes and recurved margin hairs that end in a sharp point. The plant produces white berries with no additional hairy covering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; key features are climbing habit, stout shiny stems, and white berry fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Light shade, coastal canyons, dry banks, chaparral
Elevation: 200-1220 m
Bloom period
Galium cliftonsmithii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 cliftonsmithii native to California?
Yes. Galium cliftonsmithii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium cliftonsmithii bloom?
Galium cliftonsmithii blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Galium cliftonsmithii belong to?
Galium cliftonsmithii is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium cliftonsmithii rare or endangered?
Galium cliftonsmithii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Galium cliftonsmithii grow in?
Galium cliftonsmithii grows in Light shade, coastal canyons, dry banks, chaparral.
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.