Taxon Report

Galium proliferum Gray

desert bedstraw

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Galium proliferum, commonly known as desert bedstraw, is a annual herb in the Rubiaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Joshua tree "woodland", Mojavean desert scrub, and Pinyon and juniper woodland, growing at elevations from 1190 to 1630 meters. Galium proliferum is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Galium proliferum Gray
Common Name:	desert bedstraw
Family:	Rubiaceae
Element Code:	PDRUB0N1V0
USDA Plants Symbol:	GAPR
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Mar-Jun	Mar-Jun
Elevation:	1190-1630 (3905-5350)
General Habitats:	Joshua tree "woodland", Mojavean desert scrub, Pinyon and juniper woodland
Microhabitat:	Carbonate, Rocky
Microhabitat Details:	carbonate (limestone)

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12 added to 2.2 on 2009-01-06

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	17
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	2
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	15

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Bernardino (SBD), San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Blackwater Mine (3511577), Clark Mtn. (3511555), East of Kingston Peak (3511567), Fountain Peak (3411585), Horse Thief Springs (3511578), Jamul Mountains (3211668), Mescal Range (3511545), Pachalka Spring (3511556), Pinto Valley (3511523)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	1
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	2	12 %
Non-native plant impacts	2	11%

Notes



Threatened by grazing, mining, and solar energy development projects.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

CRPR List Addition on 2009-01-06

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 8 November 2025].