Plantago major

Photo by Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org View in Bugwood Image Database Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Plantaginales Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Plantago Species: major Scientific Name Plantago major L. Common Names broadleaf plantain, common plantain, broadleaf plantain, buckhorn plantain, great plantain, rippleseed plantain

Overview

Appearance

Perennial from a basal rosette with broad oval leaves.

Foliage

Smooth or slightly hairy, oval to elliptic, with a waxy surface and veins that are parallel to the margins. Margins are un-toothed and sometimes wavy.

Flowers

Flowers produced on unbranched stalks that arise from the rosette. Flowering stems are 5 to 15 in. (12.7-38.1 cm) long, clustered with small flowers that have whitish petals and bracts surrounding the flowers.

Fruit

A 2-celled oval capsule, 0.12 to 0.2 in. (3-5 mm) long, that opens by a lid around the middle.

Ecological Threat

Found throughout the United States, primarily a weed of turfgrass. Native of Eurasia.