Broadleaf plantain – Plantago major - Plant & Pest Diagnostics

Broadleaf plantain is growing as a low basal rosette, with broad, oval leaves radiating outward from the center at ground level.

Broadleaf plantain – Plantago major

Plantago major L.

Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)

MI Status

Non-native

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.

Broadleaf plantain seedling emerging from the soil. The cotyledons are long and spatula shaped. — Broadleaf plantain seedling

Broadleaf plantain flower on a leafless stalk. These flowers bear long, dense, cylinder-shaped spikes and fruit resembling a rat tail. — Broadleaf plantain flower

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Plant & Pest Diagnostics