Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plantago erecta is a small, unassuming annual herb with needle-like leaves and translucent flowers clustered on a stalk. It grows in sandy, clay, or serpentine soils, on grassy slopes and flats or open woodland, from California to Oregon. It is known variously as California Plantain, Foothill Plantain, Dot-seed Plantain, English Plantain, and Dwarf Plantain. P. erecta is a primary host plant for the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

2 - 10 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast, Moderate

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Color

Brown, White

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Containers

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium, Slow

Soil description

Adaptable.

Site type

Sandy, clay, or, grassy slopes and flats

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland

Bats
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

6 confirmed and 25 likely

Confirmed Likely

Variable Checkerspot

Euphydryas chalcedona

Edith's Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha

Bay Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha bayensis

Quino Checkerspot

Euphydryas editha quino