Dopatrium junceum
Dopatrium
no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Dopatrium junceum (Dopatrium) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by Tropical genus with a single species naturalized in California's Central Valley wetlands.
Dopatrium is a naturalized annual found in the Sacramento Valley in uncommon, emergent wetland habitats at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers 4 to 7 millimeters long with a tube slightly longer than the calyx. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has a glabrous habit except for glandular pedicels. Its leaves range from basal oblong leaves 10 to 25 millimeters long to narrow cauline leaves 2 to 7 millimeters long, with obtuse tips. The small fruits are approximately 2 millimeters long with distinctive net-like seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Tropical genus with a single species naturalized in California's Central Valley wetlands
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Emergent in drying wetlands
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native to Africa, Asia, Australia
Bloom period
Dopatrium junceum blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Bacopa: Bacopa has normal-sized leaves all the way up the stem; Dopatrium's upper leaves shrink to tiny scales.; vs Lindernia: Dopatrium has scale-like upper leaves and smaller flowers (4-7mm vs 8-15mm in Lindernia).; vs Callitriche: Callitriche is truly aquatic with floating rosettes; Dopatrium is an emergent wetland plant with tiny scale leaves.; vs Hippuris: Hippuris has leaves in bottlebrush whorls of 6-12; Dopatrium has opposite leaves reduced to scales above.; vs Synthyris: Synthyris has all leaves in a basal rosette; Dopatrium has stem leaves that become scale-like upward.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dopatrium junceum native to California?
No. Dopatrium junceum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Dopatrium junceum bloom?
Dopatrium junceum blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Dopatrium junceum belong to?
Dopatrium junceum is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Dopatrium.
What habitat does Dopatrium junceum grow in?
Dopatrium junceum grows in Uncommon. Emergent in drying wetlands.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.