Plantago firma
Nov. Actorum Acad. Caes. Leop. Carol. Nat. Cur. 19, suppl. 1: 402. 1843.
Annuals; roots taproots, slender. Stems 0–10 mm. Leaves 20–50 × 2–15 mm; blade narrowly obovate or narrowly elliptic, margins toothed, veins conspicuous, surfaces densely pilose or glabrate. Scapes 10–50 mm, hairy, hairs appressed or nearly patent. Spikes greenish or brownish, 40–60 mm, densely flowered; bracts triangular, 2–3.1 mm, length 0.7–1.1 times sepals. Flowers: sepals 1.8–2.8 mm; corolla radially symmetric, lobes patent or erect, forming a beak, 1.7–3.1 mm, base obtuse; stamens 4. Seeds 2, 1.5–2.2 mm, adaxial face flat. 2n = 24.
Phenology: Flowering fall.
Habitat: Sandy soils.
Elevation: 0–1000 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Calif., South America (Chile).
Discussion
Plantago firma has been known in California, especially in Marin County, since at least 1896, but the most recent collection known was made in 1957.
Selected References
None.