Plantago major

Plantago major is an herbaceous perennial plant with a rosette of leaves 15–30 cm (6–12 in) in diameter.Each leaf is oval-shaped, 5–20 cm (2–8 in) long and 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) broad, rarely up to 30 cm (12 in) long and 17 cm (7 in) broad, with an acute apex, a smooth margin, and a distinct petiole almost as long as the leaf itself. There are five to nine conspicuous veins over the length of the leaf. The flowers are small, greenish-brown with purple stamens, produced in a dense spike 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long on top of a stem 13–15 cm (5–6 in) tall and rarely to 70 cm (28 in) tall.Plantain is wind-pollinated, and propagates primarily by seeds, which are held on the long, narrow spikes which rise well above the foliage. Each plant can produce up to 20,000 seeds, which are very small and oval-shaped, with a bitter taste.There are three subspecies:
Plantago major subsp. major.
Plantago major subsp. intermedia (DC.) Arcang.
Plantago major subsp. winteri (Wirtg.) W.Ludw.
 

Plantago major is notable for its ability to colonize compacted and disturbed soils, and to survive repeated trampling.




 

Developing fruits of Plantago major




 

Cultivar 'Rubrifolia' of Plantago major

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun