Male flower. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Climbing Bedstraw
(San Diego Bedstraw)

Galium nuttallii spp. nuttallii

Occasional on dry slopes in coastal sage scrub and chaparral;  Chino Hills, eastern foothills, and Santa Ana Mountains (Roberts). Note that this species is very difficult to distinguish from G. porrigens.

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Leaves opposite but appear whorled because of two leaf-like stipules not obviously different from the leaves. Leaves linear to narrowly ovate, 3-8 mm., generally leathery, tip acute, sharp to touch with stout, persistent hair (JM2). Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Leaves with sharp acute tips. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Developing fruit. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Female flowers solitary from leaf axils. Two-lobed ovary with two styles, vestigial anthers; no sepals; 4-lobed corolla greenish yellow to red, 1/8 in. across. Developing fruit. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Female, developing fruit. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.

Male flowers in few-flowered cymes on leafy branches. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park, Irvine, CA. 2-4-12. © Joan Avise.