common plantain
Family
PlantaginaceaeScientific Name
Plantago major
Other Common Names:
rippleseed plantain
buckhorn plantain
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Plantago major var. pilgeri
Plantago asiatica
Plantago major var. asiatica
Plantago major var. intermedia
Plantago major ssp. intermedia
Plantago halophila
Plantago major var. pachyphylla
Plantago major var. scopulorum
Habit
This perennial weed grows in basal rosettes that hug the ground. Leaves die back during winter and sprouts occur from a fibrous taproot around mid-spring.
Leaves
The oval, ribbed, short-stemmed leaves form basal rosettes which tend to hug the ground. The leaves may grow up to about 6 long and 4 wide. Leaves have conspicuous veins that tend to curve along the leaf from base to tip in a semi-parrallel fasion. Leaves typically lack hairs.
Identifying Characteristics
Leaf veins are easy to see and tend to curve along the leaf from base to tip. Plants have a fibrous tap root and leaves tend to hug the ground. Flowers are born on naked stalks that have a slender spike about 8 inches long.
Flower Seed Head
Pale green flowers are born on slender spikes and lead to green capsules that later turn brown. Flowering stalks do not have leaves and typically lack hairs.
Seed Fruit
Small capsules start green and then turn brown. Capsules will break along a suture and tiny black seed are deposited
Where Found
Common in turfgrass with poor soil or compaction. Broadleaf plantain is a common turfgrass weed. It may also be found in pastures, ditches and around feed lots
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
yellow,
green
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
rosette
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
none
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb