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Home > Weeds > Plantain

Common Plantain—Plantago major

Serious weeds of turf, lawns, gardens and pastures, plantains crowd out desirable plants and reduce the vigor of those that survive.

plantain plant plantain leaf plantain flower
Leaves grow in a cluster, or rosette, at ground level. Leaves are broad and oval with a waxy surface and several pronounced veins parallel to the margins. Small white-petaled flowers are produced along the length of leafless stalks from June to September. Stalks grow 5 to 15 inches high.

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[Photos, left to right: Lynn Sosnoskie, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org; Ohio State Weed Lab Archive, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org; Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org]

 
It is the policy of the State of Maine to minimize reliance on pesticides. The Maine Department of Agriculture and the Maine IPM Council encourage everyone to practice integrated pest management and to use pesticides only as a last resort. The mention of pesticides in the fact sheets linked to these pages does not imply an endorsement of any product. Be sure that any product used is currently registered and follow all label directions.