Galium parishii
Parish's bedstraw
(c) Melanie J. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium parishii (Parish's bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by red/pink flowers and matted habit distinguish it from most co-occurring species.
Parish's bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the southern and eastern mountains of the Peninsular Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, and desert mountains on steep slopes, rocky washes, and talus at elevations of 1,675 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small rotate flowers in red to pink shades, occasionally yellow, with a delicate hairy exterior. Growing with erect or matted stems 5 to 40 centimeters tall, it develops a woody base and appears generally puberulent. Its leaves grow in distinctive whorls of 4, arranged in 2 unequal pairs, with small ovate to round blades 1 to 9 millimeters long, typically showing three prominent veins. The plant produces nutlets with long, straight hairs, characteristic of its delicate bedstraw structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; red/pink flowers and matted habit distinguish it from most co-occurring species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep slopes, rocky washes, talus, among boulders
Elevation: 1675-3400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Inyo, Tuolumne, San Diego
Outside California: southern Nevada
Bloom period
Galium parishii 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 parishii native to California?
Yes. Galium parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium parishii bloom?
Galium parishii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Galium parishii grow?
Galium parishii occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Inyo, Tuolumne, San Diego, at elevations of 1675-3400 m.
What plant family does Galium parishii belong to?
Galium parishii is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium parishii grow in?
Galium parishii grows in Steep slopes, rocky washes, talus, among boulders.
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.