Galium grayanum var. grayanum
Gray's bedstraw
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium grayanum var. grayanum (Gray's bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by larger more open habit and larger fruits 7-10mm.
Gray's bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern California Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada at elevations of 1,830 to 3,500 meters in rocky slopes and ridges. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with open, densely short-hairy stems 5 to 27 centimeters tall, it forms a relatively compact plant. Its leaves are narrow, 5 to 17 millimeters long with acute to obtuse tips, arranged in characteristic whorled patterns. The fruit is covered in small hairs, measuring 7 to 10 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; key features are larger more open habit and larger fruits 7-10mm
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, ridges
Elevation: 1830-3500 m
California counties: Butte, Inyo, Trinity, Plumas, Nevada, Glenn, Tehama, Siskiyou, Placer, Mendocino, Shasta, Sierra, Lake, Humboldt
Bloom period
Galium grayanum var. grayanum blooms Jul-Aug.
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 grayanum var. grayanum native to California?
Yes. Galium grayanum var. grayanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium grayanum var. grayanum bloom?
Galium grayanum var. grayanum blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Galium grayanum var. grayanum grow?
Galium grayanum var. grayanum occurs in Butte, Inyo, Trinity, Plumas, Nevada, Glenn, Tehama, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of 1830-3500 m.
What plant family does Galium grayanum var. grayanum belong to?
Galium grayanum var. grayanum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium grayanum var. grayanum grow in?
Galium grayanum var. grayanum grows in Rocky slopes, ridges.
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.