Triglochin concinna var. concinna
Seaside arrow-grass, Seaside Arrow-Grass
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Family: Juncaginaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Triglochin concinna var. concinna (Seaside arrow-grass) is a native California perennial in the Juncaginaceae family, recognized by habitat, size, and growth habit.
Seaside arrow-grass is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions of northern, central, and southern California in coastal salt marshes at elevations below 10 meters. Flowering from March to August, this plant produces small green to white flowers in slender, elongated inflorescences that typically exceed the plant's leaves. Growing 10 to 45 centimeters tall with an upright, grass-like form, it emerges from fibrous roots with slender, succulent stems. Its linear leaves are narrow, fleshy, and grow directly from the base of the plant, adapting to the saline coastal environment. The fruit develops in a linear, elongated arrangement characteristic of this distinctive coastal marsh species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by habitat, size, and growth habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal salt marshes
Elevation: < 10 m
California counties: Ventura, Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles
Outside California: to British Columbia, Baja California
Bloom period
Triglochin concinna var. concinna blooms Mar-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Plantago: Triglochin has bractless flower spikes with scale-like flowers; Plantago has obvious leafy bracts below the flower cluster.; vs Typha: Triglochin has a slender spike of tiny greenish flowers; Typha has dense, brown, sausage-shaped flower heads.; vs Juncus: Triglochin leaves are semicircular in cross-section with a groove above; Juncus leaves are round or flat without a groove.; vs Rumex: Triglochin leaves are undivided grass-like blades; Rumex has broader leaves with a distinct midvein and papery sheaths.; vs Lomandra: Triglochin has tiny greenish flowers in a slender spike; Lomandra has larger cream-yellow flowers in dense clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Triglochin concinna var. concinna native to California?
Yes. Triglochin concinna var. concinna is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Triglochin concinna var. concinna bloom?
Triglochin concinna var. concinna blooms Mar-Aug.
Where in California does Triglochin concinna var. concinna grow?
Triglochin concinna var. concinna occurs in Ventura, Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 10 m.
What plant family does Triglochin concinna var. concinna belong to?
Triglochin concinna var. concinna is in the Juncaginaceae family, genus Triglochin.
What habitat does Triglochin concinna var. concinna grow in?
Triglochin concinna var. concinna grows in Coastal salt marshes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.