Plantago arenaria
Indian plantain
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Plantago arenaria (Indian plantain) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by unique clustered node appearance and short round spikes.
Indian plantain is a naturalized annual herb found in the central California Coast, San Francisco Bay, and southern California coastal areas in sandy disturbed areas at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces small white flowers in compact, round to elliptic spikes with corolla lobes spreading about 2 millimeters long. Growing with branched stems 2 to 6 centimeters tall, the plant has a somewhat coarse, sparse hairiness. Its cauline leaves appear clustered at nodes, thread-like or linear, measuring 2 to 4.5 centimeters in length and growing opposite along the stem. The plant produces two seeds, each approximately 2.5 millimeters long, nestled within round-ovate bracts at the tips of 3 to 7 centimeter peduncles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; unique clustered node appearance and short round spikes
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy disturbed areas
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Plantago arenaria blooms Jul-Nov.
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Plantago has broad ribbed leaves in rosettes; Carex has narrow grass-like leaves in 3 ranks.; vs Rumex: Plantago leaves have parallel veins; Rumex leaves have a prominent central midvein with branching veins.; vs Dudleya: Plantago has thin ribbed leaves; Dudleya has thick succulent leaves.; vs Micropus: Plantago has dense cylindrical spikes; Micropus has woolly flower heads in leaf axils.; vs Amsinckia: Plantago has parallel-veined leaves in rosettes; Amsinckia has bristly alternate leaves on upright stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plantago arenaria native to California?
No. Plantago arenaria is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Plantago arenaria bloom?
Plantago arenaria blooms Jul-Nov.
What plant family does Plantago arenaria belong to?
Plantago arenaria is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago arenaria grow in?
Plantago arenaria grows in Sandy disturbed areas.
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.