Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum is a native California vine in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by dwarfed tufted habit under 15 cm vs. sprawling larger forms.
Threepetal bedstraw is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, California High Sierra, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and Warner Mountains in montane meadows and lake margins at elevations of 1,700 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with distinctively dwarfed stems generally less than 15 centimeters tall, it forms tufted or matted growth patterns. Its leaves are arranged in whorls, creating a compact and intricate ground-hugging structure. The plant's diminutive size and clustered growth make it well-adapted to high-elevation mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 49 sympatric species; dwarfed tufted habit under 15 cm vs. sprawling larger forms
Habitat and range
Habitat: Montane meadows, lake margins
Elevation: 1700-3200 m
California counties: Fresno, El Dorado, Tulare, Plumas, Modoc, Trinity, San Bernardino, Butte, Sierra, Tuolumne, Placer, Siskiyou, Yuba, Alpine, Lassen, Nevada, Sonoma
Outside California: to Alaska, Rocky Mountains
Bloom period
Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum 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 trifidum subsp. subbiflorum native to California?
Yes. Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum bloom?
Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum grow?
Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum occurs in Fresno, El Dorado, Tulare, Plumas, Modoc, Trinity, San Bernardino, Butte and other counties, at elevations of 1700-3200 m.
What plant family does Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum belong to?
Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum grow in?
Galium trifidum subsp. subbiflorum grows in Montane meadows, lake margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.