''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.
[Biota of North America Program](_blank)
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''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
Dioecy (; ; adj. dioecious , ) is a characteristic of a species, meaning that it has distinct individual organisms (unisexual) that produce male or female gametes, either directly (in animals) or indirectly (in seed plants). Dioecious reproductio ...
, 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.
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
The San Bernardino Mountains are a high and rugged mountain range in Southern California in the United States. Situated north and northeast of San Bernardino and spanning two California counties, the range tops out at at San Gorgonio Mountain â ...
*''Galium angustifolium ''subsp''. onycense'' (Dempster) Dempster & Stebbins - Kern County
References
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants ProfilePhoto gallery
angustifolium
Flora of Baja California
Flora of California
Plants described in 1876
Dioecious plants
Flora without expected TNC conservation status
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