Ontario Weeds: Narrow-leaved plantain
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Excerpt from Publication 505, Ontario Weeds,
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Table of Contents
Name: Narrow-leaved plantain, Plantago
lanceolata L.,
Other Names: Buckhorn plantain, English
plantain, Ribgrass, plantain lancéolé, plantain à
feuilles lancéolées, herbe à cinq coutures
Family: Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae)
General Description: Perennial, reproducing
only by seed. It is distinguished by its rosette of long, narrow
leaves with prominent, parallel veins, and its slender, leafless
stems tipped with short, dense, oval spikes of tiny flowers.
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Similar Species: Very similar to Broad-leaved plantain in general habit of growth; differing mainly in having long, narrow leaves which have very prominent, almost parallel veins or ribs which run the length of the leaf, sometimes the blade being strongly folded lengthwise along each rib, and the very short, compact, somewhat oval spike of tiny flowers at the ends of long, thin, leafless stems; at flowering, the spike surrounded by a halo of anthers at the ends of long thin stamens protruding from the flowers; seedpod contains only 1 or 2 seeds, each about 3mm (1/8in.) long. Flowers from spring until late autumn and the plant may act as an annual or perennial.
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