Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum
Scott mountain bedstraw, Scott Mountain Bedstraw
(c) mark-groeneveld, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum (Scott mountain bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by cup-shaped corolla and leaf morphology.
Scott mountain bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in steep open pine forests at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate cup-shaped clusters. Growing with slender stems 12 to 27 centimeters tall, it forms a compact and low-growing herbaceous cluster. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic, 9 to 15 millimeters long, with gently tapered tips and a generally flat profile. This distinctive bedstraw creates subtle botanical interest in its pine forest mountain habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species; distinguished by cup-shaped corolla and leaf morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep slopes in open pine forest
Elevation: 1000-2000 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Modoc
Bloom period
Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 subsp. scotticum native to California?
Yes. Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum bloom?
Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum grow?
Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Modoc, at elevations of 1000-2000 m.
What plant family does Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum belong to?
Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum rare or endangered?
Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.