Galium angustifolium is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family known by the common name narrowleaf bedstraw. It is native to California (including the Channel Islands) and Baja California, where it is most commonly found at low elevations in the mountains.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesBiota of North America Program
Galium angustifolium is a stocky perennial herb or small shrub growing from a woody base and producing sprawling stems from a few centimeters to nearly a meter in length. Leaves grow in whorls of four about the stem at intervals, and the stem may branch at these points. The inflorescence is a panicle containing several flowers. The plant is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants, similar in appearance with greenish-yellow flower parts. The fruit is a nutlet covered in long bristly white or yellowish hairs.Jepson Manual TreatmentGray, Asa. 1876. In Brewer, William Henry et al. Geological Survey of California, Botany 1: 285
Subspecies Eight subspecies are currently recognized (May 2014):Dempster, Lauramay Tinsley & Stebbins, George Ledyard. 1971. Madroño 21(2): 88-94
Galium angustifolium subsp. angustifolium - California + Baja California Galium angustifolium subsp. borregoense Dempster & Stebbins - San Diego County Galium angustifolium subsp. foliosum (Hilend & J.T.Howell) Dempster & Stebbins - northern Channel Islands Galium angustifolium subsp. gabrielense (Munz & I.M.Johnst.) Dempster & Stebbins - Los Angeles + San Bernardino Counties Galium angustifolium subsp. gracillimum Dempster & Stebbins - San Bernardino + Riverside Counties Galium angustifolium subsp. jacinticum Dempster & Stebbins - San Jacinto Mountains Galium angustifolium subsp. nudicaule Dempster & Stebbins - San Gabriel + San Bernardino Mountains Galium angustifolium subsp. onycense (Dempster) Dempster & Stebbins - Kern County
References
External links Jepson Manual Treatment USDA Plants Profile Photo gallery