Plumbago auriculata
Cape leadwort
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Family: Plumbaginaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Plumbago auriculata (Cape leadwort) is a non-native California shrub in the Plumbaginaceae family, recognized by South African ornamental occasionally naturalizing - only Plumbago species in California flora.
Cape leadwort is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal areas in streambeds and coastal scrub habitats at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering all year, this plant produces pale blue flowers with distinctive tubular corollas 37 to 53 millimeters long. Growing as an evergreen shrub to 3 meters tall, it has an erect to trailing growth habit with diffuse branching. Its leaves are generally sessile, with blades 2.5 to 9 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide, featuring a long-tapered base that often clasps the stem. The plant produces brown seeds 7 millimeters long within 8-millimeter fruits.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: South African ornamental occasionally naturalizing - only Plumbago species in California flora
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambeds, canyons in coastal scrub
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: native to South Africa
Bloom period
Plumbago auriculata blooms All year.
How to tell it apart
vs Duranta: Plumbago has 5-petaled flowers in simple spikes; Duranta has small tubular flowers in drooping, branched clusters.; vs Phlox: Plumbago flowers have tubes 25-50mm long; Phlox tubes are much shorter (usually under 15mm).; vs Ceratostigma: Plumbago has woody shrubby stems; Ceratostigma is herbaceous or subshrubby with reddish fall foliage.; vs Salvia: Plumbago flowers have 5 equal petals; Salvia has distinctive two-lipped flowers with just 2 stamens.; vs Ceanothus: Plumbago has large tubular flowers; Ceanothus has tiny flowers in dense puffy clusters and opposite leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plumbago auriculata native to California?
No. Plumbago auriculata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Plumbago auriculata bloom?
Plumbago auriculata blooms All year.
Where in California does Plumbago auriculata grow?
Plumbago auriculata occurs in Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Plumbago auriculata belong to?
Plumbago auriculata is in the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Plumbago.
What habitat does Plumbago auriculata grow in?
Plumbago auriculata grows in Streambeds, canyons in coastal scrub.
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.