How to Identify Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major)
This is broadleaf plantain, a member of the plantain family plantaginaceae. It is native to Europe and has become naturalized around much of the world. This plant is a perennial that flowers indeterminately from spring to fall.

The plant appears as a small, ground-hugging rosette of leaves arranged spirally around its center. Old plants will develop very short, woody stems.

The leaves are oval to lance-shaped with long thin petioles, and are entire or irregularly toothed around their wavy margins. They are light green in color and have prominent veins. The leaves are smooth and hairless or sparsely hairy.

The tall, slender inflorescences are covered in tiny, inconspicuous flowers that are neatly clustered together around the flower spike. The flowers are wind-pollinated and will produce masses of tiny, black or brown seeds.

The plant has a shallow, fibrous root system, and only reproduces via seed.

Broadleaf plantain grows in compacted, disturbed soils. It likes moisture and can handle shade to full sun. It is also very resistant to being trampled, which allows it to grow where other plants can’t. It is common along roadsides, in gardens, laws, vineyards and orchards, and walkways.

This plant is both edible and highly nutritious. It is commonly used as a medical crop throughout the world.


Sources:

Weeds of the West, 5th Edition (1991) by Tom D. Whitson, published by the Western Society of Weed Science

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources IPM – Weed Gallery
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United States Department of Agriculture – Plant Database
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