Galium stellatum
Starry bedstraw
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Galium stellatum (Starry bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by unique shrubby habit and sharp needle-like leaves diagnostic.
Starry bedstraw is a California native shrub found in desert regions on rocky slopes at elevations of 130 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces small, nearly white flowers in leafy axillary panicles. Growing with stout, many-branched stems 30 to 90 centimeters tall that are brittle and scabrous, it forms an erect and spreading growth habit. Its leaves grow in whorls of four, typically 4 to 8 millimeters long, with narrow lanceolate to needle-like shapes in a distinctive gray-green color and sharp-tipped texture. The fruit consists of small nutlets covered in dense, long white hairs that give the plant an intriguing, star-like appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 19 sympatric species; unique shrubby habit and sharp needle-like leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes
Elevation: 130-1600 m
California counties: Riverside, Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles
Outside California: to Nevada, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Galium stellatum blooms Mar-Apr.
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 stellatum native to California?
Yes. Galium stellatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium stellatum bloom?
Galium stellatum blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Galium stellatum grow?
Galium stellatum occurs in Riverside, Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, at elevations of 130-1600 m.
What plant family does Galium stellatum belong to?
Galium stellatum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium stellatum grow in?
Galium stellatum grows in Rocky slopes.
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.