Buckhorn plantain

July 31, 2015

Plantago lanceolata L.

Life cycle

Rosette-forming simple perennial.

Plantain buckhorn seedling
Buckhorn plantain seedling.

Leaves

All leaves originate from a basal rosette. Cotyledons are very narrow and grass-like. Leaves are narrow, linear and elongated with parallel veins and generally smooth leaf margins. Long hairs may be present at the leaf base.

Plantain buckhorn rosette
Buckhorn plantain rosette.

Stems

No visible aboveground stem. Semi-woody taproot present.

Flowers and fruit

Long, leafless stalks bear dense, cylinder-shaped flowering spikes and fruit. Single flowers are inconspicuous. Fruiting capsules yield two narrowly oval, brown to black, shiny seeds indented on one side.

Plantain buckhorn flower
Buckhorn plantain flowering spike.

Reproduction

Seeds and basal shoots.

Print a PDF of this page: Buckhorn plantain

Back to identifying nursery weeds.

You Might Also Be Interested In

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Tag List
  • integrated pest management

About

Resources

Events

  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).