Galium proliferum

Desert bedstraw

Family: Rubiaceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Desert bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native annual found in desert mountains in rocky banks and limestone ledges at elevations of 1,100 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in small clusters with rotate corollas. Growing 5 to 30 centimeters tall with erect stems that are somewhat hairy and rough-textured, it develops a delicate branching structure. Its leaves grow in whorls of 3 to 4, with narrow lanceolate blades 3 to 10 millimeters long, featuring obtuse to soft-pointed tips. The plant produces small nutlets with short, hooked hairs that aid in seed dispersal.

Habitat: Rocky banks, limestone ledges

Bloom period: Apr-May

Elevation: 1100-1400 m

Bioregions: DMtns

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.