Plantago aristata

bracted plantain, bottlebrush indianwheat, largebracted plantain, buckthorn
Family

Plantaginaceae

Leaf Arrangement

opposite, basal (rosulate)

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

linear, elliptic, oblanceolate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

green

Flower Month

April - November

Height (meters)

0.2 - 0.3

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

annual, perennial

Growing Season

Warm season


Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

2

Field Characters

Easily differentiated from other species of Plantago by its numerous, long bracts subtending the individual flowers on the spike.

Cultural Information

Seeds germinate best in light and with daily alternations of 65-85 degrees F (20-30 C) (Steinbauer and Grigsby 1957). With the addition of gibberellic acid light made little difference (Delouche 1958).

Natural History

Grows in dry sterile or sandy soils throughout Louisiana and the eastern fourth of Texas. It ranges from Maine south to Florida and west to Texas.

Habitat

Dry, sterile or sandy soils, dry prairies, rocky open woodlands, waste ground, roadsides, pastures, fields, and lawns.