Broadleaf plantain
August 21, 2015
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EmailPlantago major L.
Life cycle
Rosette-forming simple perennial.
Broadleaf plantain seedling.
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.
Broadleaf plantain rosette.
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.
Broadleaf plantain flowering spikes.
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.
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