Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by tufted habit and large fruits 7-10mm including hairs.
Smooth bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and high Cascade Range on gravelly slopes and talus at elevations of 1,520 to 2,590 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces small, rotate white or pale flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with tufted stems 5 to 24 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with a glabrous to slightly hairy appearance. Its leaves are 6 to 15 millimeters long, ovate to obovate with acute to occasionally blunt tips, arranged in whorled patterns. The fruit is densely hairy, measuring 7 to 10 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; key features are tufted habit and large fruits 7-10mm including hairs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly slopes, talus
Elevation: 1520-2590 m
California counties: Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Del Norte
Bloom period
Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens blooms Jul-Sep.
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 glabrescens subsp. glabrescens native to California?
Yes. Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens bloom?
Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens grow?
Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens occurs in Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Del Norte, at elevations of 1520-2590 m.
What plant family does Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens belong to?
Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens grow in?
Galium glabrescens subsp. glabrescens grows in Gravelly slopes, talus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.