 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Broadleaf plantain - Plantago major L. | |||||||||
|
Life cycle: Rosette-forming simple perennial. Leaves: All leaves originate from a basal rosette. Cotyledons are long and spatula-shaped. Leaves are generally smooth and broadly to narrowly oval, with parallel veins and smooth to slightly wavy leaf margins. Leaf base tapers to a distinct petiole. Petioles are usually green but occasionally pale pink. Stems: No visible aboveground stem. Short taproot present. Flowers and fruit: Leafless stalks bear long, dense, cylinder-shaped flowering spikes and fruit resembling a rat tail. Single flowers are inconspicuous. Fruiting capsules yield many narrowly oval, usually glossy brown seeds. Reproduction: Seeds. |
||||||||
Similar weeds: Blackseed plantain (P. rugelii Dcne.) Differs by often having dark red to purple petioles, usually wavy leaf margins and dull dark brown to black seeds. |
|||||||||
Updated: 03/14/08