Galium munzii
Munz's bedstraw
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Galium munzii (Munz's bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by coarse-hairy texture and unequal leaf pairs.
Munz's bedstraw is a California native perennial herb found in the desert mountains on northern or eastern-facing slopes and shady canyon bottoms at elevations of 1,100 to 2,250 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces pale white to pink flowers in small clusters, forming delicate rotate blossoms that are hairy on the exterior. Growing with erect, coarse-hairy stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall and a woody base, it forms an open, narrow panicle with axillary clusters. Its distinctive leaves grow in whorls of 4, arranged in two unequal pairs, with larger leaves 6 to 19 millimeters long, generally ovate to lanceolate and slightly three-veined with tapered, sharp-tipped edges. The fruit consists of small nutlets 3 to 6 millimeters long, adorned with long, straight hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; coarse-hairy texture and unequal leaf pairs are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: N- or e-facing slopes, shady canyon bottoms
Elevation: 1100-2250 m
Outside California: to southern Utah
Bloom period
Galium munzii blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 munzii native to California?
Yes. Galium munzii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium munzii bloom?
Galium munzii blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Galium munzii belong to?
Galium munzii is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium munzii rare or endangered?
Galium munzii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
What habitat does Galium munzii grow in?
Galium munzii grows in N- or e-facing slopes, shady canyon bottoms.
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.