USGS
Plants of Louisiana

Arnoglossum ovatum

indian plantain, ovateleaf cacalia
Family

Asteraceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear, lanceolate, ovate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

green, pink, white

Flower Month

May - December

Height (meters)

1.0 - 1.5

Milky Sap

Yes

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial

Growing Season

Warm season

Wetland Class

FAC

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

9

Field Characters

Similar to Arnoglossum plantagineum which is more common in the northern part of Louisiana. Arnoglossum ovatum has lanceolate basal and lower stem leaves and phyllaries that are not keeled while A. plataginea has ovate to rhombic-ovate basal and lower stem leaves and phyllaries that are wing-keeled.

Cultural Information

Clumps may be divided in the fall or early winter. Seed germination is reported to improve with cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997). Seeds average approximately 190,000/lb.

Animal Use

Charles Robertson, 1928: (Insects suck nectar; observations are from Robertson) Bees (short-tongued) Halictidae (Sphecodini): Sphecodes dichroa Wasps Tiphiidae: Myzinum quinquecincta Butterflies Riodinidae: Lycaena hyllus Plant Bugs Lygaeidae: Lygaeus turcicus

Natural History

Ovate-leaved forms are most common in bay galls of southeast Louisiana while the lance-leaved forms are most common in southwest Louisiana prairies (Gandhi and Thomas 1989). This species is a prairie indicator.

Habitat

Found in prairie.