Galium wrightii
Wright's bedstraw
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Family: Rubiaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Galium wrightii (Wright's bedstraw) is a native California subshrub in the Rubiaceae family, recognized by distinctive red to pink flowers and Clark Mountains location.
Wright's bedstraw is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Clark Mountains in shady, rocky canyons and pinyon-pine woodland at elevations of 1,600 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to June and August to September, this plant produces small red to pink flowers in open terminal panicles. Growing 15 to 50 centimeters tall with erect to sprawling stems that become woody at the base, the plant has a delicate, slightly hairy appearance. Its leaves grow in whorls of 4, linear to oblanceolate, with acute tips and measuring up to 12 millimeters long. The fruit develops as small nutlets with a few long, straight hairs extending approximately 5 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinctive red to pink flowers and Clark Mountains location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shady, rocky canyons, pinyon-pine woodland
Elevation: 1600-2000 m
Outside California: to western Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Galium wrightii blooms May-Jun, Aug--Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 wrightii native to California?
Yes. Galium wrightii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Galium wrightii bloom?
Galium wrightii blooms May-Jun, Aug--Sep.
What plant family does Galium wrightii belong to?
Galium wrightii is in the Rubiaceae family, genus Galium.
Is Galium wrightii rare or endangered?
Galium wrightii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Galium wrightii grow in?
Galium wrightii grows in Shady, rocky canyons, pinyon-pine woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Galium acrispum — San clemente island bedstraw
- Galium ambiguum — Yolla bolly bedstraw
- Galium ambiguum subsp. ambiguum
- Galium ambiguum subsp. siskiyouense
- Galium andrewsii — Phlox-leaved bedstraw
- Galium andrewsii subsp. andrewsii
- Kelloggia galioides — Milk kelloggia
- Kelloggia sp.
- Rubiaceae sp. — Madder family
- Sherardia arvensis — Field madder
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.