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.
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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Identification and Control Information
- Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals: Plantains (PDF) —University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
More Information
- Weeds and Your Lawn—University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management
- Read Your "Weeds"—A Simple Guide to Creating a Healthy Lawn (PDF) —National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns
- Weeds and Your Garden brochure (PDF) —New York State IPM Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Weed Management in the Home Garden (PDF) —Iowa State University Extension
[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]