Plumbago sp.
Leadwort, Leadwort
(c) Ricard Busquets Reverte, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ricard Busquets Reverte · licence
Family: Plumbaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Plumbago sp. (Leadwort) is a non-native California perennial in the Plumbaginaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Plumbago sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Plumbago sp. belong to?
Plumbago sp. is in the Plumbaginaceae family, genus Plumbago.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.