RUBIACEAE

MADDER FAMILY

Lauramay T. Dempster

Annual, perennial herb, shrub, vine, tree
Leaves generally opposite, entire; stipules generally on stem, sometimes leaf-like (then leaves apparently whorled and stipules considered leaves), adjacent pairs sometimes fused
Inflorescence: cyme, panicle, cluster, or flower solitary, generally terminal and ± axillary
Flower generally bisexual; calyx generally ± 4-lobed, sometimes 0; corolla generally radial, 4-lobed; stamens epipetalous, alternate corolla lobes, generally included; ovary generally inferior, chambers generally 2 or 4, style 1, ± fused if 2
Fruit: 2 or 4 nutlets or a berry, drupe, or capsule
Genera in family: ± 500 genera, 6000 species: worldwide, especially tropical; many cultivated (including Coffea , coffee; Cinchona , quinine; many ornamental)
Reference: [Dempster 1979 Fl CA 4(2):1–47]

GALIUM

BEDSTRAW, CLEAVERS

Annual, perennial herb, sometimes ± shrubby, often ± dioecious, glabrous or hairy, often scabrous
Stem when young 4-angled
Leaves in whorls of 4 or more, including leaf-like stipules
Inflorescence: panicle, or axillary clusters of 1–many flowers
Flower bisexual or unisexual (with sterile stamens or pistils); calyx 0; corolla generally rotate, sometimes ± bell-shaped, generally greenish, fading yellow or white, sometimes reddish, lobes generally 4; ovary 2-lobed, styles 2, ± fused basally
Fruit: 2 nutlets or 1 berry
Species in genus: ± 400 species: worldwide, especially temp
Etymology: (Greek: milk, from use of some species in its curdling)
Hairiness of ovary and fruit generally ± equal on a single plant; staminate plants often identified only by association with pistillate.

Native

G. grayanum Ehrend.

GRAY'S BEDSTRAW

Perennial, tufted or matted, dioecious, densely velvety
Stem 2.5–23 cm
Leaves in whorls of 4, 4–17 mm, broadly ovate to obovate or orbicular; tip obtuse or abruptly soft-pointed, not sharp to touch
Inflorescence: narrow, leafy; flowers few on ascending branchlets
Flower unisexual; corolla rotate but ± cupped at base, yellowish or reddish
Fruit: nutlets; hairs long, straight, brownish
Chromosomes: 2n=22
Ecology: Rocky slopes, ridges, open forests
Elevation: 1950–3500 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, High North Coast Ranges, High Cascade Range, n High Sierra Nevada
Distribution outside California: Nevada

Native

var. nanum Dempster & Ehrend.

Plant 2.5–14 cm, dwarfed
Leaf 4–9 mm
Ecology: Very open fir forest
Elevation: 1950–2500 m.
Bioregional distribution: High North Coast Ranges
Distribution outside California: Nevada (Mount Rose)