Staminate (male) plant. No calyx; 4-lobed corolla pale yellow to reddish; 4 stamens. Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant

Narrow-leaved Bedstraw

Galium angustifolium subsp. angustifolium

Rubiaceae

An erect, shrubby, multi-stemmed, 1 to 4 ft. high perennial found in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, woodland borders and rocky grassland, occasional to fairly common (Roberts).  Young stems are 4-angled. Plants are generally dioecious.  Fruit- two nutlets (generally larger than the pedicel) covered with conspicuous, dense, white bristles. Ssp. angustifolium is distinguished by a corolla that is less hairy than the rest of the plant.  Bloom time Mar-June. 

Back to Rubiaceae of Orange County, California
Back to Plants of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California

Staminate (male) plants

On Deerweed. Santiago Truck Trail, Cleveland National Forest, Orange Co., CA. 4-25-09. © Joan Avise

Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Orange Co., CA. 6-4-11. © Joan Avise

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Laguna Niguel, CA.4-05-08. © Joan Avise

Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant


Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant


Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant

Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant

The linear, opposite, pointed leaves appear 4-whorled because of 2 leaf-like stipules.  Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant

Woods End Wilderness Preserve, Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA. 1-4-12. © Peter J. Bryant
Pistillate (female) plants

Top of the World, Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park, Orange County, CA. © Peter J. Bryant

Female flower: no calyx; 4-lobed pale yellow to red corolla, 1/16 in. wide; inferior 2-lobed ovary; 2 styles; Top of the World, Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Park, Orange County, CA. © Peter J. Bryant

Laurel Canyon, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 6-13-09. © Joan Avise

Laurel Canyon, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 6-13-09. © Joan Avise

James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, CA. 4-24-10. © Joan Avise

With developing fruits. O'Neill Regional Park, Trabuco Canyon, CA. 4-11-10. © Joan Avise