Plantago elongata
Annual coast plantago
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plantago elongata (Annual coast plantago) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by 2 stamens and high seed count.
Annual coast plantago is a California native annual found in the California Floristic Province in saline, alkaline places, beaches, and vernal pools at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in dense spikes 2 to 18 centimeters long. Growing with thread-like to linear leaves 3 to 10 centimeters long, it forms delicate, sparse plants with minimal hair coverage. Its leaves are entire or have few teeth, creating a slender and elegant profile in coastal and alkaline environments. The plant produces 3 to 9 small seeds, each 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, adapted to challenging coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; diagnostic 2 stamens and high seed count
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saline, alkaline places, beaches, vernal pools
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Colusa, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Tulare, Kern, Monterey, Orange, Marin, Sacramento, Tehama, Merced, Contra Costa, Butte, Sutter, Glenn, Shasta, Yuba, Alameda, Fresno, Napa, Solano, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Humboldt, Stanislaus, San Benito, Kings, Yolo, Del Norte, San Mateo, Mendocino, Lake, Calaveras, Ventura, Tuolumne, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Plantago elongata blooms Apr-Jun.
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 elongata native to California?
Yes. Plantago elongata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plantago elongata bloom?
Plantago elongata blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Plantago elongata grow?
Plantago elongata occurs in Santa Barbara, Colusa, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, Tulare, Kern, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Plantago elongata belong to?
Plantago elongata is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago elongata grow in?
Plantago elongata grows in Saline, alkaline places, beaches, vernal pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.