Ontario Weeds: Broad-leaved plantain
Table of Contents
- Name
- Other Names
- Family
- General Description
- Stems and Roots
- Leaves
- Flowers and Fruit
- Habitat
- Similar Species
- Related Links
Name: Broad-leaved plantain, Plantago
major L.,
Other Names: Common plantain, Doorweed,
Dooryard plantain, Plantain, Whiteman's foot, grand plantain, plantain
majeur
Family: Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae)
General Description: Perennial, reproducing
only by seed. Plant stemless, except for the leafless flowering stalks.
Photos and Pictures
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Broad-leaved plantain. A Plant.
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B. Seedling, side view. C. Younger seedling.
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Stems & Roots: Root system thick
and fibrous.
Leaves: Leaves all in a basal rosette,
oval or elliptic, 5-30cm (2-12in.) long, the blade about as long as
its thick green stalk, smooth or somewhat rough-hairy, with 3 to several
prominent veins radiating from the leafstalk towards the tip, margins
smooth or irregularly toothed.
Flowers & Fruit: Flowers in compact
spikes on erect, leafless stalks from among the basal leaves; each
spike about the size and shape of a lead pencil but consisting of
many, tiny, stalkless, greenish flowers giving it a coarsely granular
texture; each flower about 2-3mm (1/12-1/8in.) across, with 4 sepals,
4 petals, 2 stamens and 1 pistil; the egg-shaped seedpod developing
beneath the withering flower; this mature seedpod splitting apart
with a circular fracture around its middle so that the top part drops
off and releases the 5 to 16 dark brown or nearly black angular seeds,
each about 1mm (1/25in.) long. Flowers and sets seed from spring until
late autumn.
Habitat: Broad-leaved plantain is very
common in all but the most remote unsettled areas of Ontario occurring
in cultivated land, pastures, meadows, waste places, roadsides, lawns
and gardens.
Similar Species: It is distinguished by
its rosette of dull green, oval leaves with thick green stalks, and
its elongated spikes of tiny green flowers each followed by a small
egg-shaped pod with usually more than 5 tiny dark brown or nearly
black seeds.
Related Links
... on general Weed
topics
... on weed identification, order OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
... on weed control, order OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control
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