Galium triflorum
Sweet-scented bedstraw, Sweet-Scented Bedstraw
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Vine · Native
Galium triflorum (Sweet-scented bedstraw) is a native California vine in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by distinctive 6-whorled leaves held parallel to ground.
Sweet-scented bedstraw is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central western California, San Bernardino Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in damp, shady forest habitats at elevations of 10 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces cream to pink flowers in small clusters of 2 to 3 blossoms. Growing with decumbent stems 20 to 76 centimeters long that radiate from the base, it spreads across the ground in a distinctive pattern. Its leaves grow in whorls of 6, typically parallel to the ground, with ovate to obovate blades 6 to 38 millimeters long and acute to acuminate tips. The fruit develops as small nutlets with soft, hooked hairs that are white to brown in color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 59 sympatric species; distinctive 6-whorled leaves held parallel to ground
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp, shady forest
Elevation: 10-3000 m
California counties: Humboldt, Mendocino, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Trinity, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Monterey, Calaveras, Marin, Sonoma, Lake, Tulare, Fresno, Butte, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Mono, San Mateo, Plumas, El Dorado, Tehama, Kern, Amador, Placer, Nevada, Colusa, Modoc, Alameda, San Joaquin, Shasta, Glenn, Napa, Madera, Lassen, Sierra, Santa Clara, Alpine, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Greenland, Mexico, Europe, Asia
Bloom period
Galium triflorum blooms May-Jul.
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 triflorum native to California?
Yes. Galium triflorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium triflorum bloom?
Galium triflorum blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Galium triflorum grow?
Galium triflorum occurs in Humboldt, Mendocino, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Trinity, Santa Cruz, Del Norte, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of 10-3000 m.
What plant family does Galium triflorum belong to?
Galium triflorum is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
What habitat does Galium triflorum grow in?
Galium triflorum grows in Damp, shady forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Galium wrightii — Wright's bedstraw
- Galium acrispum — San clemente island bedstraw
- Galium ambiguum — Yolla bolly bedstraw
- Galium ambiguum subsp. ambiguum
- Galium ambiguum subsp. siskiyouense
- Galium andrewsii — Phlox-leaved bedstraw
- Kelloggia galioides — Milk kelloggia
- Kelloggia sp.
- Rubiaceae sp. — Madder family
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.