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Overview
Plantago lanceolata is a fibrous-rooted perennial in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae) reaching 6–24 inches (15–60 cm) tall with a 6–12 inch (15–30 cm) spread, forming compact basal rosettes. Leaves are all basal, narrowly lanceolate to elliptic, 2–12 inches (5–30 cm) long and 0.4–1 inch (10–25 mm) wide, with 3–5 prominent parallel veins running the length of the blade and a long, channeled petiole. Leaves are sparsely to moderately hairy. Flower scapes are leafless, wiry, deeply grooved (5-angled in cross-section), 6–24 inches (15–60 cm) tall. Flower spikes are dense, cylindrical to ovoid, 0.4–1.2 inches (10–30 mm) long, with a conspicuous ring of white to yellowish stamens that moves upward as the spike matures — a distinctive visual feature. Each flower produces a capsule containing 2 seeds. Seeds have a mucilaginous coating that becomes sticky when wet, adhering to shoes, tires, and animal fur. A single plant produces 1,000–15,000 seeds. The fibrous root system is dense but shallower than the taproot of P. major. One of the most common lawn and pasture weeds in the Pacific Northwest. A significant cause of allergenic pollen.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, occurring in lawns, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed ground from sea level to approximately 8,000 feet (2,400 m). Naturalized across all 50 U.S. states and all Canadian provinces. One of the most common lawn weeds in the Pacific Northwest.Suggested Uses
Used in Plantaginaceae identification courses for teaching parallel leaf venation and the all-basal leaf arrangement. The ascending stamen ring on the flower spike is a pollination biology teaching feature. Included in lawn weed identification alongside P. major. Studied in aerobiology as a major allergenic pollen source. Historically used in European folk medicine for wound healing (leaves contain aucubin and allantoin).How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowers from April through September. Compact spikes bloom from the base upward, with a visible ring of white stamens that ascends the spike over 7–10 days. Wind-pollinated; significant source of allergenic pollen. Seeds mature progressively as the stamen ring moves upward. In the Pacific Northwest, scapes are produced continuously from spring through fall.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Brownish with white stamensFoliage Description
Dark green, narrowly lanceolate to elliptic, with 3-5 prominent parallel veins and a long, channeled petioleGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight