Plantago rhodosperma
Redseed plantain
(c) Eleanor Pate, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plantago rhodosperma (Redseed plantain) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by unisexual flowers and red seeds.
Redseed plantain is a California native annual found in the Shasta County region and southern California coastal areas in rocky, sandy, or disturbed places at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering in May, this plant produces white to pale flowers in spikes 1.5 to 17 centimeters long with delicate, fine hairs. Growing with widely oblanceolate to obovate leaves 5.5 to 29.5 centimeters long, it has thin stems with long, fine hairs. Its leaves are generally slightly toothed, tapering to a narrow base and displaying a distinctive spreading growth pattern. The seeds are particularly notable, measuring 2.5 to 3 millimeters long and typically a distinctive red to red-brown color.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; diagnostic unisexual flowers and red seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, sandy, or disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange
Outside California: south-central and southwestern United States, northeastern Mexico
Bloom period
Plantago rhodosperma blooms 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 rhodosperma native to California?
Yes. Plantago rhodosperma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plantago rhodosperma bloom?
Plantago rhodosperma blooms May.
Where in California does Plantago rhodosperma grow?
Plantago rhodosperma occurs in San Diego, Orange, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Plantago rhodosperma belong to?
Plantago rhodosperma is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago rhodosperma grow in?
Plantago rhodosperma grows in Rocky, sandy, or disturbed places.
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.