Plantago aristata
Bristly plantain
(c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Plantago aristata (Bristly plantain) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by long exserted bracts.
Bristly plantain is a naturalized annual found in coastal regions, Central Valley, southern coastal areas, and potentially other locations in disturbed areas at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces inconspicuous green flowers in elongated spikes 9 to 35 centimeters long. Growing with slender, upright stems, it reaches heights of 5 to 15 centimeters with linear leaves that dry to a dark green color. Its leaves are long and narrow, extending 5 to 15 centimeters with entire margins and sparse to moderate hair coverage. Each spike contains multiple small flowers with round-ovate corolla lobes approximately 1.5 to 2.3 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; diagnostic long exserted bracts
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: native to eastern United States
Bloom period
Plantago aristata blooms Jun-Jul.
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 aristata native to California?
No. Plantago aristata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Plantago aristata bloom?
Plantago aristata blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Plantago aristata belong to?
Plantago aristata is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago aristata grow in?
Plantago aristata grows in 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.