Galium serpenticum
Intermountain bedstraw
(c) mark-groeneveld, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium serpenticum (Intermountain bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by tufted habit and yellowish fruit hairs help distinguish it.
Intermountain bedstraw is a California native perennial herb found in montane and alpine regions at elevations of 5 to 32 centimeters. Flowering from summer to early fall, this plant produces small, nearly white flowers in narrow terminal panicles with delicate axillary clusters. Growing as a tufted, few-branched perennial with a woody base, it forms compact clumps with erect stems covered in fine, soft hairs. Its leaves grow in distinctive whorls of four, each blade narrow and lanceolate, measuring up to 15 millimeters long. The plant's fruits are accompanied by long, straight, yellowish hairs that provide a distinctive texture to its delicate structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species; tufted habit and yellowish fruit hairs help distinguish it
Habitat and range
California counties: Siskiyou, Modoc
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 serpenticum native to California?
Yes. Galium serpenticum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Galium serpenticum grow?
Galium serpenticum occurs in Siskiyou, Modoc.
What plant family does Galium serpenticum belong to?
Galium serpenticum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
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.