Plantago major
broadleaf plantain, great plantain, buckthorn plantain, rippleseed plantain, common plantain, lanten
Family
Plantaginaceae
Leaf Arrangement
basal (rosulate)
Leaf Attachment
petiolate
Leaf Margin
dentate, sinuate, undulate
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
elliptic, ovate
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Flower Month
April - October
Height (meters)
0.2 - 0.2
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
introduced
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Cool season
Wetland Class
FAC
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
0
Cultural Information
Seeds germinate well at 65-85 degrees F (25-30 C). It has been shown that light is critical for germination (Mitchell 1926, Sterns 1955, Steinbauer and Grinsby 1957, Maguire and Overland 1959 ).
Natural History
The young leaves may be eaten raw or cooked. All leaves may be dried for tea (Chase 1965). The seeds are a powerful laxative and have been used medicinally.
Habitat
Waste grounds, beach dunes, lawns, roadsides.