Scientific Family
Rubiaceae
Synonyms
Galium virgatum, Galium proliferum var. subnudum
Other common names
desert bedstraw
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
2 to 14 inches
Riparian
Yes
Annual plant with slender stems, erect to sprawling. Leaves are borne in whorls of 2 to 4 along stems.
Leaves in whorls of 2 to 4, some opposite; leaf length not more than 4 inches in each whorl. Flowers solitary or in pairs, mostly without a stalk, on short, sometimes forked branchlets; each flower subtended by 2 bracts. Fruit hairs hooked.
Habitat
Moist places along stream beds and edges of washes, grassy areas, or under shrubs.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
3200
High elevation
3700
Flower Characteristics
Tiny yellowish-white flowers are bisexual and borne singly or in pairs on short branches.
Flower color
Yellowish-white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves and stems are densely covered with stiff, short hairs. Leaves appear in whorls of 2 to 4 at each stem node.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Tiny nutlets are covered with short, hooked hairs.
Fruit type
Nutlet
Fruit color
Green to brown