TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) previous taxon | next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora.

    THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER UPDATED
    AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY
  • Up-to-date information about California vascular plants is available from the Jepson eFlora.

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. serpenticum Dempster

Perennial, erect, 7–33 cm, tufted, little branched, dioecious, ± puberulent; base woody
Leaves in whorls of 4, < 15 mm, linear to lanceolate or elliptic
Inflorescence: panicle of clusters, terminal, narrow, leafy, on erect or ascending branchlets
Flower: corolla whitish
Fruit: nutlets; hairs long, straight, yellowish
Ecology: Steep slopes, meadows, open pine forests
Elevation: 1000–2750 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, Warner Mountains
Distribution outside California: to Washington, Idaho, n Nevada

Native

subsp. scotticum Dempster & Ehrend.

SCOTT MOUNTAIN BEDSTRAW


Leaf: tip generally flat
Flower: corolla ± cupped
Chromosomes: 2n=22
Ecology: Steep slopes in open pine forest
Elevation: 1000–2000 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges.

previous taxon | next taxon
bioregional map for GALIUM%20serpenticum%20subsp.%20scotticum being generated
 


Retrieve Jepson Interchange Index to Plant Names entry for Galium serpenticum subsp. scotticum
Retrieve dichotomous key for Galium
Return to treatment index page
Glossary
University & Jepson Herbaria Home Page | Copyright © by the Regents of the University of California