Plantago patagonica
Patagonia plantain
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plantago patagonica (Patagonia plantain) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by elevation range and club-shaped spikes diagnostic.
Patagonia plantain is a California native annual found in the Sierra Nevada Borders, Sierra Nevada Great Basin, Peninsular Ranges, and Desert bioregions on sandy, rocky, or grassy slopes in pinyon, juniper, and Joshua-tree woodlands and chaparral at elevations of 500 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces delicate spikes of small flowers with spreading ovate lobes. Growing with linear or narrowly oblanceolate leaves 2 to 10 centimeters long, it develops slender stems with light green coloration and dense, ascending hairs. Its leaves are entire, with a uniform linear shape that dries to a light green color, featuring nearly dense hair coverage. The plant produces two seeds approximately 3 millimeters long, creating distinctive woolly spikes that are 1 to 6 centimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; elevation range and club-shaped spikes diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy, rocky, or grassy slopes, pinyon/juniper or Joshua-tree woodland, chaparral
Elevation: 500-2200 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Inyo, Lake, Kern, Ventura
Outside California: to British Columbia, north-central United States, Texas, Mexico, Argentina
Bloom period
Plantago patagonica blooms Apr-Aug.
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 patagonica native to California?
Yes. Plantago patagonica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plantago patagonica bloom?
Plantago patagonica blooms Apr-Aug.
Where in California does Plantago patagonica grow?
Plantago patagonica occurs in San Bernardino, Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Inyo, Lake and other counties, at elevations of 500-2200 m.
What plant family does Plantago patagonica belong to?
Plantago patagonica is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago patagonica grow in?
Plantago patagonica grows in Sandy, rocky, or grassy slopes, pinyon/juniper or Joshua-tree woodland, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.