Steller ex J.A. & J.H. Schultes
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132472
Element CodePDRUB0N150
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRubiales
FamilyRubiaceae
GenusGalium
Other Common NamesGaillet du Kamtchatka (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsAs treated here (following Kartesz, 1994 checklist), excludes Galium oreganum, sometimes (e.g., Hulten, 1968) treated as Galium kamtschaticum var. oreganum.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-16
Change Date1998-10-14
Edition Date2025-05-16
Edition AuthorsFlorence Caplow, Washington Natural Heritage Program (1998), rev. N. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsGalium kamtschaticum is a perennial forb occurring in conifer forests, moist conifer woods, thickets, seeps, stream banks, and talus slopes of northeastern and northwestern North America and Asia. In North America, it is found in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington, and also from Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to New York and west to Michigan in the United States and Canada. There are just over 300 estimated occurrences of this species, which are threatened by logging, invasive species, changes to hydrology, rights-of-way maintenance, clearing of canopy cover, erosion, recreation, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Galium kamtschaticum is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsGalium kamtschaticum occurs in northeastern and northwestern North America and eastern Asia (Native Plant Trust 2025, POWO 2025). In North America, it is found in Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington, and also from Ontario east to Newfoundland, south to New York and west to Michigan in the United States and Canada (Douglas et al. 1999, Brouillet et al. 2025, Native Plant Trust 2025, POWO 2025). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are just over 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Galium kamtschaticum is threatened by logging, invasive species, changes to hydrology, rights-of-way maintenance, clearing of canopy cover, erosion, recreation, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species (NatureServe 2025). Moose may be an important seed dispersal vector for this species in parts of its range, and moose declines associated with climate change could cause similar declines to this species, though more research is needed.