The Coulter Pine or Big-cone Pine (Pinus coulteri) is a native of the coastal mountains of southern California (United States) and northern Baja California (Mexico). Isolated groves are found as far north as the San Francisco Bay Area in Mt. Diablo State Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve. The species is named after Thomas Coulter, an Irish botanist and physician. The size ranges from 10-24 meter (30-80 feet) tall, and a trunk diameter up to 1 meter (3 feet). The trunk is vertical and branches horizontal to upcurved. The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, waxy pale gray-green, 15-30 centimeter (6-12 inches) long and stout, 2 millimeter (0.01 inch) thick. The outstanding characteristic of this tree is the large, spiny cones which are 20-40 centimeter (8-16 inches) long, and weigh 2-5 kg (4-10 lbs) when fresh. Coulter Pines produce the largest cones of any pine tree species (people are actually advised to wear hardhats when working in Coulter Pine groves), although the slender cones of the sugar pine are longer. The large size of the cones has earned them the nickname "widowmakers" among locals. The wood is weak and soft, so that the species is little used other than for firewood. It is also occasionally planted as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens.

The Colorado Pinyon, Two-needle Pinyon or Pion Pine (Pinus edulis) is a pine in the pinyon pine group whose ancestor was a member of the Madro-Tertiary Flora (a group of drought resistant trees) and is native to the United States. The range is in Colorado, southern Wyoming, eastern and central Utah, northern Arizona, New Mexico, and the Guadalupe Mountains in westernmost Texas. It occurs at moderate altitudes from 1600-2400 meter, rarely as low as 1400 meter and as high as 3000 meter. It is widespread and often abundant in this region, forming extensive open woodlands, usually mixed with junipers. The Colorado pinyon (pion) grows as the dominant species on 4.8 million acres (19,000 km) in Colorado, making up 22% of the state's forests. The Colorado pinyon has cultural meaning to agriculture, as strong pion wood "plow heads" were used to break soil for crop planting at the state's earliest known agricultural settlements. There is one known example of a Colorado Pinyon growing amongst Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and limber pine (Pinus flexilis) at nearly 3,170 meters (10,400 feet) on Kendrick Peak in the Kaibab National Forest of northern Arizona.

The Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis; family Pinaceae) is a species of pine tree that occurs in the mountains of the Western United States and Canada, specifically the subalpine areas of the Rocky Mountains from southwest Alberta south to the Mexican border; the Great Basin mountains of Nevada and Utah; and the White Mountains, the east slope of the Sierra Nevada and the San Bernardino Mountains in California with a small disjunct population in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is typically a high-elevation pine, often marking the tree line either on its own, or with Whitebark Pine, either of the bristlecone pines, or Lodgepole Pine. In favourable conditions, it makes a tree to 20 meter, rarely 25 meter tall, but on exposed tree line sites only 5-10 meter tall. It is also called Rocky Mountain White Pine. Limber Pine is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. This distinguishes it from the Lodgepole Pine, with two needles per fascicle, and the bristlecone pines, which share five needles per fascicle but have a semi-persistent sheath.

Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi), named in honor of its documenter John Jeffrey, is a North American pine related to Ponderosa Pine. It occurs from southwest Oregon south through much of California, including the Sierras, Coast Ranges, Transverse Range and Peninsular Range, to northern Baja California, Mexico. It is a high altitude species; in the north of its range, it grows widely at 1,500 to 2,100 meter (4,900 to 6,900 feet) altitude, and at 1,800 to 2,900 meter (5,900 to 9,500 feet) in the south of its range. The Jeffrey Pine is a large tree, reaching 25 to 40 meter (82 to 131 feet) tall, rarely up to 53 meter (174 feet) tall, though smaller when growing at or near tree line. The leaves are needle-like, in bundles of three, stout, waxy pale gray-green, 12 to 23 centimeter (4.7 to 9.1 inches) long. The cones are 12 to 24 centimeter (4.7 to 9.4 inches) long, dark purple when immature, ripening pale brown, with thinly woody scales bearing a short, sharp inward-pointing barb. The seeds are 10 to 12 millimeter (0.39 to 0.47 inches) long, with a large (15 to 25 millimeter (0.59 to 0.98 inches)) wing. In the Sierras and Peninsular Range it grows primarily on granite, but in the Coast Ranges it is found largely on Serpentine soils. The bark has a distinctive fragrance described as reminiscent of vanilla, lemon, pineapple, violets, apple, or butterscotch. It is tolerant of drought, cold and heat.

Pinus lambertiana (commonly known as the sugar pine or sugar cone pine) is the tallest and most massive pine tree, and has the longest cones of any conifer. It is native to the mountains of the Pacific coast of North America, from Oregon through California to Baja California. The sugar pine occurs in the mountains of Oregon and California in the western United States, and Baja California in northwestern Mexico; specifically the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges, and Sierra San Pedro Martir. The sugar pine is the largest species of pine, commonly growing to 40-60 meters (130-200 ft) tall, exceptionally up to 82 m (269 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1. 5-2. 5 m (4. 9-8. 2 ft), exceptionally 3. 5 m (11 ft). Pinus lambertiana is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in bundles (fascicles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. They are 6-11 cm (2. 4-4. 3 in)ch) long. Sugar pine is notable for having the longest cones of any conifer, mostly 25-50 cm (9. 8-19. 7 in) long, exceptionally up to 66 cm (26 in) long (although the cones of the Coulter pine are more massive). The seeds are 10-12 mm (0. 39-0. 47 in) long, with a 2-3 cm (0. 79-1. 18 in) long wing that aids wind dispersal. The seeds of the sugar pine are also a type of pine nut and are edible.

Pinus longaeva, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, is a long-living species of tree found in the higher mountains of the southwest United States. The species is one of three closely related trees known as bristlecone pines and is sometimes known as the Intermountain or Western bristlecone pine. It is a medium-size tree, reaching 5 to 15 meter (16 to 49 feet) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 2.5 to 3.6 meter (8 feet 2 inches to 11 feet 10 inches) in diameter. The bark is bright orange-yellow, thin and scaly at the base of the trunk. The leaves ('needles') are in fascicles of five, stout, 2.5 to 4 centimeter (0.98 to 1.6 inches) long, deep green to blue-green on the outer face, with stomata confined to a bright white band on the inner surfaces. The leaves show the longest persistence of any plant, with some remaining green for 45 years (Ewers & Schmid 1981).

The Single-leaf Pinyon (Pinus monophylla) is a pine in the pinyon pine group, native to the United States and northwest Baja, Mexico. Within California it is found in the Sierras, the Transverse Range, and Peninsular Range. It occurs at moderate altitudes from 1200-2300 meter, rarely as low as 950 meter and as high as 2900 meter, in the most arid areas occupied by any pine in California. It is widespread and often abundant in this region, forming extensive open woodlands, often mixed with junipers. It is a small to medium size tree, reaching 10-20 meter tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 80 centimeter, rarely more. However, it is very slow growing, reaching only 3 ft. in seven years.The bark is irregularly furrowed and scaly. It is the world's only 1-needled pine; the leaves ('needles') are usually single (though trees with needles in pairs are found occasionally), stout, 4-6 centimeter long, and grey-green to strongly waxy pale blue-green, with stomata over the whole needle surface (and on both inner and outer surfaces of paired needles). The cones are acute-globose, the largest of the true pinyons, 4.5-8 centimeter long and broad when closed, green at first, ripening yellow-buff when 18-20 months old, with only a small number of very thick scales, typically 8-20 fertile scales. The cones open to 6-9 centimeter broad when mature, holding the seeds on the scales after opening. The seeds are 11-16 millimeter long, with a thin shell, a white endosperm, and a vestigial 1-2 millimeter wing; they are dispersed by the Pinyon Jay, which plucks the seeds out of the open cones. The jay, which uses the seeds as a food resource, stores many of the seeds for later use by burying them. Some of these stored seeds are not used and are able to grow into new trees. Indeed, Pinyon seeds will rarely germinate in the wild unless they are cached by jays or other animals. The seeds (pine nuts) are also harvested and eaten by people.

Western White Pine (Pinus monticola; family Pinaceae) is a species of pine that occurs in the mountains of the western United States and Canada, specifically the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Range, the Coast Range, and the northern Rocky Mountains. The tree extends down to sea level in many areas, particularly in Oregon and Washington. It is the state tree of Idaho, and is sometimes known as the Idaho Pine. Western White Pine is a large tree, regularly growing to 30-50 meter and exceptionally up to 70 meter tall. It is a member of the white pine group, Pinus subgenus Strobus, and like all members of that group, the leaves ('needles') are in fascicles (bundles) of five, with a deciduous sheath. The needles are finely serrated, and 5-13 centimeter long. The cones are long and slender, 12-32 centimeter long and 3-4 centimeter broad (closed), opening to 5-8 centimeter broad; the scales are thin and flexible. The seeds are small, 4-7 millimeter long, and have a long slender wing 15-22 millimeter long.

The Bishop Pine (Pinus muricata) is a pine with a very restricted range: mostly California, USA, including some offshore islands, and a few locations in Baja California, Mexico, and always on or near the coast, from Trinidad Head in Humboldt County, California south to San Vicente in Baja California. The mature trees grow to a height of 15-25 meter, rarely up to 34 meter, with a trunk diameter of up to 1.2 meter. The species is often smaller, stunted and twisted in coastal exposures. It is drought-tolerant and grows on dry, rocky soil. P. muricata has been used in plantations with resultant growth rates higher than in the wild, but with adverse impacts to biodiversity. The common name Bishop Pine resulted from the tree having been first identified near the Mission of San Luis Obispo. This tree has a large number of common names and other prior scientific names, due primarily to numerous variant forms. Other English names that have occasionally been used are: Obispo Pine, Santa Cruz Pine, Dwarf Marine Pine, and Pricklecone Pine.

Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane. It is a dominant tree in the Kuchler plant association Ponderosa shrub forest. Like most western pines, the ponderosa is associated with mountainous topography. It is found on the Black Hills and on foothills and mid-height peaks of the northern, central and southern Rocky Mountains as well as the Cascades and Sierra Nevada. Modern forestry research identifies four different taxa of Ponderosa Pine, with differing botanical characters and adapted to different climatic conditions. These have been termed "geographic races" in forestry literature, while some botanists historically treated them as distinct species. In modern botanical usage, they best match the rank of subspecies, but not all of the relevant botanical combinations have been formally published.

Pinus quadrifolia, the Parry pinyon, is a pine in the pinyon pine group native to southernmost California in the United States and northern Baja California in Mexico, from 33 degrees 30' N south to 30 degrees 30' N. It occurs at moderate altitudes from 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft), rarely as low as 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) and as high as 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). It is scarce and often scattered in this region, forming open woodlands, usually mixed with junipers. Other common names include nut pine and fourleaf pinyon pine. Pinus quadrifolia is a small to medium size tree, reaching 8 metres (26 ft) to 15 metres (49 ft) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 40 centimetres (16 in), rarely more. The bark is thick, rough and scaly. The leaves ('needles') are in fascicles of 4-5, moderately stout, 2. 5 centimetres (0. 98 in)-5. 5 centimetres (2. 2 in) long; glossy dark green with no stomata on the outer face, and a dense bright white band of stomata on the inner surfaces. The cones are globose, 4 centimetres (1. 6 in)-5. 5 centimetres (2. 2 in) long and broad when closed, green at first, ripening yellow to orange-buff when 18-20 months old, with only a small number of thick scales, with typically 5-10 fertile scales. The cones open to 5 centimetres (2. 0 in) to 7 centimetres (2. 8 in) broad when mature, holding the seeds on the scales after opening. The seeds are 10 millimetres (0. 39 in)-14 millimetres (0. 55 in) long, with a thin shell, a white endosperm, and a vestigial 1 millimetre (0. 039 in)-2 millimetres (0. 079 in) wing; they are dispersed by the pinyon jay, which plucks the seeds out of the open cones. The jay, which uses the seeds as a food resource, stores many of the seeds for later use, and some of these stored seeds are not used and are able to grow into new trees.

Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata) is a coniferous evergreen tree with upward-pointing branches and a rounded top. It can to 50 to 100 ft in height in the wild but up to 200 ft in cultivation in optimum conditions. The leaves ('needles') are bright green, in clusters of three (two in var. binata), slender, up to 3 inches long and having a blunt tip.

The cones are 3 to 6.5 inches long, brown, ovoid (egg-shaped), and usually set asymmetrically on a branch, attached at an oblique angle. The bark is fissured and dark grey to brown.

This pine is adapted to cope with stand-killing fire disturbance. Its cones are serotinous, that is, they remain closed until opened by the heat of a forest fire. The abundant seeds are then discharged to regenerate on the burned forest floor. Cones may also burst open in hot weather.

It is native to three very limited areas located in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties in California, and also to Guadalupe and Cedros Islands in Mexico. Although Monterey Pine is extensively cultivated around the world for lumber, the version of the tree used in the lumber industry is vastly different from the native tree. In its natural state, Monterey Pine is a rare and endangered tree; it is twisted, knotty and full of sap/resin and not suitable for lumber.

In its native range, Monterey Pine is associated with a characteristic flora and fauna. It is the co-dominant canopy tree, together with Cupressus macrocarpa which naturally occurs only in coastal Monterey County.

One of the pine forests in Monterey was the discovery site for Hickman's potentilla (Potentilla hickmanii), an endangered species. Yadon's Rein-orchid (Piperia yadonii), a rare species of orchid, is endemic to the same pine forest adjacent to Pebble Beach. In its native range, Monterey Pine is a principal host for the dwarf mistletoe Arceuthobium littorum. A remnant Monterey Pine stand in Pacific Grove is a prime wintering habitat of the Monarch butterfly.

Grow this plant only along the coast well within the coastal fog bank. In inland areas, it will grow fast if given water but typically dies after around five years. One of the few native plants that the California Invasive Plant Council has determined is invasive in regions outside its natural range. it has invaded coastal scrub, prairie, and chaparral.

Foothill Pine (Pinus sabiniana), also known as gray or ghost pine, is a slow-growing and moderately long-lived tree native to California. It grows at elevations up to 4,500 feet and has distinct, long, drooping, silvery-green foliage. The yellow flowers bloom in early spring, and the tree bears sweet edible seeds. This pine is quite resilient, thriving in areas with poor soils and dry conditions.

Foothill Pine grows in an upright form to a height of up to 80 feet, but with regular irrigation, it can reach 40-60 feet in landscaping applications. Its feathery, lacey canopy allows plenty of light to filter through, making it an excellent choice for planting understory plants beneath it without much interference. This tree is perfect for dry, challenging areas and provides a soft, dappled shade.

The Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana) is the rarest pine in the U.S., found only along San Diego's coast and on two Channel Islands. This endangered tree grows 26–56 feet tall with long, gray-green needles in clusters of five and large, edible pine nuts in stout cones. It thrives in dry, sandy soils and coastal fog, often developing twisted, sculptural forms from wind exposure.

The pine nuts are a valuable food source for birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. Its dense canopy also provides nesting and shelter for birds.

Historically limited to about 100 trees in the early 20th century, conservation efforts have helped the wild population recover to around 3,000. Torrey pines are now planted in drought-tolerant landscapes and protected by local ordinances near their native range. In gardens with richer soil and more water, they can grow over 100 feet tall.

Santa Rosa Isl. Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana ssp. insularis) is a rare native tree that grows in southern and central California.

Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana ssp. torreyana) is a rare native tree that grows in southern and central California.

Plagiobothrys acanthocarpus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name adobe popcornflower. It is native to California and northwestern sections of Mexico, where it can be found in moist areas on clay soil, such as vernal pools. It is an annual herb with a spreading or erect stem 10 to 40 centimeters in length. The leaves are linear or lance-shaped to oblong and several centimeters in length. The plant is coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny flowers, each with a yellow-throated, five-lobed white corolla less than 3 millimeters wide. The nutlets are covered in long prickles with some bristles between.

Plagiobothrys arizonicus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Arizona popcornflower. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is a common wildflower in many types of mountain, desert, and woodland habitat. It is an annual herb with a spreading or erect stem 10 to 40 centimeters in length. The leaves are located in a basal rosette about the stem, with smaller ones along the length of the stem. The plant is coated in long, rough, sharp hairs. The herbage leaks a staining purple juice when crushed. The inflorescence is a series of regular bracts and tiny flowers, each five-lobed white corolla less than 3 millimeters wide. The paired nutlets are arch-shaped and not prickly.

Plagiobothrys austiniae is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Austin's popcornflower. It is native to California, where it can be found in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills. It is also known from southern Oregon. Its habitat includes moist and wet areas, such as vernal pools. It is an annual herb with a spreading or erect stem 10 to 40 centimeters in length. The leaves are located along the stem, the lowest, largest ones measuring up to 5 centimeters long. The plant is coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny flowers, each five-lobed white corolla less than 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a bristly nutlet with prickles along its midribs.

Plagiobothrys bracteatus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name bracted popcornflower. It is native to western North America from Oregon throughout California into northwestern Mexico, where it can be found in a variety of wet habitats such as vernal pools and other moist spots in the forests and chaparral. It is an annual herb with a mostly upright stem 10 to 40 centimeters in length. The leaves are located along the stem, the lowest, largest ones measuring up to 10 centimeters long. The plant is coated in sparse rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny flowers, the lower ones accompanied by leaflike bracts. Each five-lobed white corolla measures 1 to 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a narrow, cross-ribbed, tubercled nutlet no more than 2 millimeters long.

Plagiobothrys canescens is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name valley popcornflower. It is endemic to California, where it is a common wildflower in valley, foothill, desert, coastline, and canyon habitat in the central and southern regions of the state. Plagiobothrys canescens is an annual herb with a spreading or erect stem 10 to 60 centimeters in length. The leaves are located in a basal rosette about the base of the stem, with smaller ones located along the stem's length. The plant is coated in long, rough hairs and sometimes bristles. It is purple-edged and -veined and leaks purple juice when crushed. The inflorescence is a series of tiny flowers and hairy bracts. Each five-lobed white corolla measures 2 to 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a rounded, arched nutlet no more than 2 millimeters long texured with cross-ribs.

Plagiobothrys distantiflorus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name California popcornflower. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the northern and central Sierra Nevada foothills. It grows in grassland and woodland habitat. It is an annual herb with a spreading or erect stem up to 30 centimeters in length. The leaves along the stem are up to 2. 5 centimeters long and coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny flowers accompanied by hairy bracts. The flowers have five-lobed white corollas under 2 millimeters wide.

Plagiobothrys fulvus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names field popcornflower or fulvous popcornflower. It is native to California and Oregon in the United States, as well as Chile. It is a common wildflower in several types of habitat, including grasslands. It is an annual herb with a very hairy stem growing erect to a maximum height around 60 centimeters. The leaves occur in a rosette around the base of the stem and along the stem's length in an alternate arrangement. They are coated in hairs and leak purple juice when crushed. The inflorescence is a curving series of small flowers. Each flower has a white corolla under half a centimeter wide and a calyx of sepals which are slightly longer than the corolla. The fruit is a pair or quartet of tiny angular ribbed nutlets.

Plagiobothrys glyptocarpus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name sculptured popcornflower. It is native to Oregon and northern California, where it grows in moist woodland and grassland habitat. It is an annual herb growing mostly erect to a maximum height near half a meter. The leaves along the stem are 4 to 8 centimeters long and the herbage is coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of small white flowers with rounded five-lobed corollas 2 to 9 millimeters wide. The fruit is a nutlet about 2 millimeters wide with a rough, tubercled or ribbed surface visible on magnification.

Plagiobothrys greenei is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Greene's popcornflower. It is native to Oregon and northern California, where it grows in moist woodland and grassland habitat. It is an annual herb with a spreading or erect stem growing 10 to 40 centimeters long. The leaves along the stem are 1 to 5 centimeters long and the herbage is coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny flowers with white five-lobed corollas no more than 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a minute nutlet with a surface covered in long prickles.

Plagiobothrys humistratus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names dwarf popcornflower or low popcornflower. It is endemic to the Central Valley of California, where it grows in grassland habitats, including vernal pools and other wetland areas. Plagiobothrys humistratus is an annual herb growing prostrate, with stems extending up to 40 centimeters in length. The leaves along the stem are 3 to 8 centimeters long and coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny white flowers accompanied by bracts. Each five-lobed flower is 1 or 2 millimeters in length. The fruit is a narrow oblong nutlet under 3 millimeters in length, often coated in minute bristles. Plagiobothrys humistratus is an annual herb growing prostrate, with stems extending up to 40 centimeters in length. The leaves along the stem are 3 to 8 centimeters long and coated in rough hairs. The inflorescence is a series of tiny white flowers accompanied by bracts. Each five-lobed flower is 1 or 2 millimeters in length. The fruit is a narrow oblong nutlet under 3 millimeters in length, often coated in minute bristles.

Plagiobothrys leptocladus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names finebranched popcornflower and alkali plagiobothrys. It is native to western North America from Alaska to the Dakotas to northern Mexico, where it can be found in varied types of wet habitat, including inundated alkali flats and vernal pools. It is an annual herb growing mostly decumbent with stems 10 to 30 centimeters long. It is hairless to roughly hairy in texture. The leaves along the stem reach 10 centimeters in length near the base. The inflorescence is a series of tiny white flowers each 1 or 2 millimeters wide. Each is surrounded by a calyx of bent, ribbed sepals. The fruit is a lance-shaped nutlet.

Plagiobothrys nothofulvus is a species of flowering plant in the boraginaceae family known by the common names rusty popcornflower and foothill snowdrops. It is native to western North America from Washington, and California, to northern Mexico. It is a spring wildflower in grassy meadows, woodlands, coastal sage scrub, and wetland-riparian habitats. Plagiobothrys nothofulvus is native to parts of the Pacific Northwest. It ranges from northern California and into southern Washington. Populations have been reported as far south as Baja California, Mexico and north to the Columbia River Gorge. Habitat. Grassy meadows, especially those along the coast, are the most common habitat for Plagiobothrys nothofulvus. It can also be found in woodlands, coastal sage scrub, and wetland-riparian habitats and are often associated with serpentine or plutonic soils. Other species that commonly grow in similar grassland habitats and are often associated with Plagiobothrys nothofulvus include Aster chilensis, Lotus angustissimus, Plantago lanceolata, Galium parisiense, Brodiaea terrestris, and other native herbs. Etymology. The scientific name of the rusty popcorn flower, Plagiobothrys nothofulvus, describes some of its key characteristics. Plagiobothrys refers to a sideways pit formed by the position of the nutlet attachment scar. Lagiobothrys nothofulvus is food for many different animals. Deer, ground squirrels, and insects often forage on the plant. Turtles will also feed on the flowers in riparian zones. Black seed-harvesting ants will eat the seeds of popcorn flowers. Species of beetles will use the flower as a breeding platform. Butterflies, moths, and bees drink its nectar as they pollinate the flowers. Ctenuchid moths are frequently found on the flowers, the importance of their interactions is currently unknown. Reproduction. The flowers of Plagiobothrys nothofulvus generally bloomfrom February - April. Plagiobothrys nothofulvus is a federally listed endangered species in Oregon. The major threat to Plagiobothry nothofulvus is habitat loss by the transformation of its historical range to agricultural land. The loss of seasonal wetlands by habitat degradation and changing climate as well as the introduction of invasive species also pose large threats to the rusty popcorn flower. Efforts to restore the population include establishing protected populations, saving seeds, providing education to land owners, and restoring natural habitats.

Plagiobothrys shastensis is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Shasta popcornflower. It is native to southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows in grassland, woodland, and other types of habitat. It is an annual herb growing erect to about 30 centimeters in maximum height. It is coated in hairs. The leaves are located in a basal rosette with a few arranged alternately along the stem. The inflorescence is a straight branch holding paired flowers, rarely coiling at the tip as many other Plagiobothrys do. Each tiny white flower has a five-lobed corolla no more than 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a cross-shaped nutlet 2 or 3 millimeters wide divided in half by a rough scar.

Plagiobothrys stipitatus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name stalked popcornflower and stipitate forget-me-not. It is native to Oregon and most of California, where it grows in vernal pools and similar wet habitat types. It is an annual herb producing a narrow, hollow, erect stem up to half a meter tall. It is coated in rough hairs. The pointed, hairy leaves along the stem are up to 11 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a series of five-lobed white flowers 2 millimeters to over one centimeter wide. The fruit is a narrow, ribbed nutlet.

Plagiobothrys strictus is a rare species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common name Calistoga popcornflower. It is endemic to Napa County, California, where it is known from only two small locations near Calistoga. It grows in wet grassy habitat kept moist by runoff from hot springs and pools. The combined area of land containing the two populations was estimated to be less than 80 square meters in 1990. The species is threatened by the disturbance of its grassland habitat; both populations are on privately owned, unprotected land, one next to a small airport. This is an annual herb growing erect 10 to 40 centimeters tall. It is mostly hairless except for the sepals, which have some rough hairs. The leaves are located along the stem and measure 4 to 9 centimeters long. The inflorescence is made up of paired branches bearing several five-lobed white flowers each about half a centimeter wide. The fruit is a ribbed nutlet 1 or 2 millimeters long. Distribution and habitat. It grows in wet grassy habitat kept moist by runoff from hot springs and pools. The combined area of land containing the two populations was estimated to be less than 80 square meters in 1990. The species is threatened by the disturbance of its grassland habitat; both populations are on privately owned, unprotected land, one next to a small airport. Endangered status. Plagiobothrys strictus is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

Plagiobothrys tenellus is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names Pacific popcornflower and slender popcornflower. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Mexico, where it is a common member of the flora in several types of habitat. Plagiobothrys tenellus is an annual herb producing several erect stems up to about 30 centimeters tall. It is very hairy in texture, the hairs long and white. The leaves are located in a basal rosette around the stem and there are a few smaller ones along the stem itself. The inflorescence is a coiling branch bearing many small five-lobed white flowers. Each flower is 1 to 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a tiny cross-shaped nutlet covered in bumps and grooves. Plagiobothrys tenellus is an annual herb producing several erect stems up to about 30 centimeters tall. It is very hairy in texture, the hairs long and white. The leaves are located in a basal rosette around the stem and there are a few smaller ones along the stem itself. The inflorescence is a coiling branch bearing many small five-lobed white flowers. Each flower is 1 to 3 millimeters wide. The fruit is a tiny cross-shaped nutlet covered in bumps and grooves.

Plantago elongata is a species of plantain known by the common names prairie plantain and slender plantain. It is native to much of western North America, from British Columbia to California and as far east as Minnesota. It grows in wet habitat, such as vernal pools and wet meadows, including areas with saline and alkali soils, such as beaches. Plantago elongata is a petite annual herb producing a few narrow linear or threadlike basal leaves up to 10 centimeters long. The stemlike inflorescences grow erect to a maximum height around 18 centimeters. Atop the peduncle of the inflorescence is a spike of several tiny flowers each with a rounded or oval calyx of sepals covered with thick, fleshy green bracts.

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.

Plantago eriopoda is a species of plantain known by the common name redwool plantain. It is native to much of western and central North America from Alaska to the southwestern United States to the Great Lakes region, where it can be found in moist and wet habitat types, sometimes in alkaline soils. It is a perennial herb producing a clump of lance-shaped to narrow oval leaves up to 25 centimeters long. The leaves may have slightly toothed edges and often have a coating of woolly red hairs near their bases. The stemlike inflorescences grow erect to a maximum height near half a meter. Atop the peduncle of the inflorescence is a dense cylindrical spike of many tiny flowers. Each flower has a whitish corolla with four lobes each about a millimeter long accompanied by sepals covered with small bracts.

Goose Tongue (Plantago maritima var. juncoides) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in wet places, at elevations from - feet.