Galium hallii
Nodding bedstraw, Nodding Bedstraw
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium hallii (Nodding bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by subshrub habit, 3-veined leaves with expanded petiole bases, and drooping inflorescences.
Nodding bedstraw is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, and Transverse Ranges on north-facing slopes, canyon bottoms, and mixed conifer forests at elevations of 820 to 2,350 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in small drooping clusters. Growing as a subshrub 30 to 60 centimeters tall with woody stems that climb and sprawl, it has a distinctively grayish-hairy appearance. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, measuring 6 to 17 millimeters long, with widely ovate to elliptic shapes and obtuse to acute tips. The fruit develops as nutlets with long, straight hairs that range from white to red-brown and can appear bluish or grayish.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 46 sympatric species; key features are subshrub habit, 3-veined leaves with expanded petiole bases, and drooping inflorescences
Habitat and range
Habitat: N-facing slopes, canyon bottoms, mixed conifer forest, oaks or sagebrush
Elevation: 820-2350 m
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo
Bloom period
Galium hallii blooms May-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 hallii native to California?
Yes. Galium hallii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium hallii bloom?
Galium hallii blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Galium hallii grow?
Galium hallii occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of 820-2350 m.
What plant family does Galium hallii belong to?
Galium hallii is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium hallii grow in?
Galium hallii grows in N-facing slopes, canyon bottoms, mixed conifer forest, oaks or sagebrush.
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.