Broadleaf Plantain
Plantago major
| Common Name: | Broadleaf plantain (a.k.a. dooryard plantain, common plantain) |
| Scientific Name: | Plantago major |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Growth Form: | Herb |
| Native Range: | |
| Alien Range: | Throughout the |
| Introduction: | Puritans brought broadleaf plantain to New England as a medicinal herb, introducing it to |
| Description: | ·Leaves: Form a basal rosette. Broad and oval. Wavy, entire margins. Parallel venation. Smooth; mostly hairless.
·Stem: Leafless, un-branched, covered in tiny flowers. 5-30 cm (2-12 in.) long. Present in summer. ·Flowers: Present from June to September. White petals, 1mm long. Bracts 2-4 mm long, oval shaped. ·Fruit: Oval capsule, 3-5 mm (0.25 in.) long. 6-30 seeds inside, light brown, 1.5 mm long. |
| Threats: | Broadleaf plantain is a weed of turfgrass, and can disrupt landscaping. It can form dense clumps that interfere with proper traction on surfaces used for athletic purposes. It also crowds out native species. |
| Fun Facts: | The genus name Plantago comes from the Greek word planta, which translates to “footprint.” The broadleaf plantain is thought to look like the sole of a foot. |
Whole plant
Plantain in flower
Seeds
