Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum is a native California vine in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by wet habitat preference and 5-8 leaves per whorl.
Mexican bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, high Cascade Range, central Sierra Nevada, and Modoc Plateau in wet streamside habitats at elevations of 550 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate, open panicles with thread-like branches. Growing with spreading to reclining stems 45 to 90 centimeters long, it forms loose, relaxed clusters in moist environments. Its leaves grow in whorls of 5 to 8, each 13 to 25 millimeters long, with a narrow lanceolate shape that tapers to an acuminate tip. The fruit develops as small, slightly fleshy nutlets with a few short, upward-curving hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 42 sympatric species; wet habitat preference and 5-8 leaves per whorl are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places near streams
Elevation: 550-2500 m
Outside California: to Washington, western Montana, Utah
Bloom period
Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum blooms Jun-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 mexicanum subsp. asperulum native to California?
Yes. Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum bloom?
Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum belong to?
Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum grow in?
Galium mexicanum subsp. asperulum grows in Wet places near streams.
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.