Plantago pusilla
Dwarf plantain
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Plantago pusilla (Dwarf plantain) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by 2 stamens and 4 seeds per flower.
Dwarf plantain is a naturalized annual found in southern coastal California, specifically in San Joaquin Valley and San Diego County, growing on sandy substrates at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers with erect corolla lobes less than half a millimeter long. Growing with thread-like leaves up to 10 centimeters long, it forms slender spikes 2 to 19 centimeters tall with a loose flowering axis where individual flowers are visibly spaced. Its leaves are extremely narrow and generally entire, appearing almost grass-like in texture. The plant produces up to four small seeds measuring 0.7 to 1.8 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; diagnostic 2 stamens and 4 seeds per flower
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy substrates
Elevation: < 100 m
Outside California: native to eastern United States
Bloom period
Plantago pusilla blooms Apr-May.
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 pusilla native to California?
No. Plantago pusilla is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Plantago pusilla bloom?
Plantago pusilla blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Plantago pusilla belong to?
Plantago pusilla is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago pusilla grow in?
Plantago pusilla grows in Sandy substrates.
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.