Bushy bedstraw facts for kids

Bushy bedstraw, also called Matthews' bedstraw (its scientific name is Galium matthewsii), is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the coffee family, which might sound surprising! This plant grows naturally in the mountains and deserts of southeastern California and southern Nevada. You can find it in places like Kern, Inyo, and San Bernardino Counties in California, and Clark and Esmeralda Counties in Nevada.

What is Bushy Bedstraw?

Bushy bedstraw is a small, shrub-like plant. It grows from a strong, woody base. This plant usually reaches about 20 to 30 centimeters (about 8 to 12 inches) tall. It often forms short, thin, tangled clumps.

How Does It Look?

The leaves of the bushy bedstraw are small and have sharp points. They grow in groups of four around the stem. These groups are called whorls.

The plant produces yellow flowers. These flowers grow in clusters. Both male and female flowers look quite similar. They have hairy, yellow petals that form a cup shape. After the flowers, the plant makes a small fruit. This fruit is called a nutlet. It is covered with long, straight, white hairs.

Who Was It Named After?

This interesting plant was named after a person named Washington Matthews.