Galium muricatum
Humboldt bedstraw
(c) Roger Raiche, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roger Raiche · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium muricatum (Humboldt bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by low cushion form, shiny petioled leaves, and berry fruits.
Humboldt bedstraw is a California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges in shady, damp conifer or mixed forest at elevations of 50 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces small, nearly yellow flowers in open, few-flowered clusters. Growing as a low, cushion-like herb with stems 7 to 20 centimeters tall that are generally smooth, it forms compact ground-hugging mats. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, measuring 6 to 10 millimeters long, with elliptic to obovate shapes that are leathery and somewhat shiny, with obtuse tips softly pointed. The plant produces small, puberulent berries as its fruit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; low cushion form, shiny petioled leaves, and berry fruits are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shady, damp conifer or mixed forest
Elevation: 50-1100 m
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Galium muricatum blooms May-Oct.
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 muricatum native to California?
Yes. Galium muricatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium muricatum bloom?
Galium muricatum blooms May-Oct.
What plant family does Galium muricatum belong to?
Galium muricatum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium muricatum grow in?
Galium muricatum grows in Shady, damp conifer or mixed forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.