Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare
Nuttall's island bedstraw, Nuttall's Island Bedstraw
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare (Nuttall's island bedstraw) is a native California shrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by island location and glabrous condition distinguish from mainland form.
Nuttall's island bedstraw is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in the Channel Islands in chaparral and pine habitats at elevations of 3 to 400 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate, loosely branched clusters. Growing to 30 to 50 centimeters tall with slender, generally glabrous stems that spread or slightly climb, it forms open and graceful clusters. Its narrow leaves are arranged in whorls of 4 to 6, each leaf thin and lance-shaped, typically 10 to 20 millimeters long. The delicate, nearly smooth stems and leaf arrangement make this bedstraw distinctive in its island chaparral habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; island location and glabrous condition distinguish from mainland form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, pine or
Elevation: 3-400 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange, San Diego
Bloom period
Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare blooms Mar-Jun.
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 nuttallii subsp. insulare native to California?
Yes. Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare bloom?
Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare grow?
Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange, San Diego, at elevations of 3-400 m.
What plant family does Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare belong to?
Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare rare or endangered?
Galium nuttallii subsp. insulare carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.