Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae
Hilend's bedstraw
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae (Hilend's bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by long-hairy texture, shorter less stiff stems, and externally hairy flowers.
Hilend's bedstraw is a native perennial found in the Mojave Desert in dry canyons and rocky places at elevations of 1,300 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale pink flowers with a bell-shaped corolla that is hairy on the outside. Growing with slender stems 13 to 33 centimeters tall, it has long, soft hairs throughout its structure. Its leaves are 5 to 18 millimeters long, ovate to nearly round, with tapered tips that are soft to the touch. The fruit is approximately 5.5 millimeters long, including its characteristic hairy covering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; key features are long-hairy texture, shorter less stiff stems, and externally hairy flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry canyons, rocky places
Elevation: 1300-2700 m
Bloom period
Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 hilendiae subsp. hilendiae native to California?
Yes. Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae bloom?
Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae belong to?
Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae rare or endangered?
Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae grow in?
Galium hilendiae subsp. hilendiae grows in dry canyons, rocky places.
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.