Large-bract Plantain

(Plantago aristata)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Large-bract Plantain (Plantago aristata  Michx.)

Identification: Plant erect with elongate, club-shaped heads with long, green, spiny flower bracts. Flowers small, white, with 4 semi-transparent petals, partially hidden by the flower bracts. Bracts green, wide at the base and tapering to long spines. Flowers arranged in a tight, elongate, apical head. Stem wiry, stiff, green. Leaves arising from the base of the plant, grasslike. Plant 6 to 18 inches tall.

Distribution: Native range throughout western North America from the Prairie States to the Pacific Coast. Widely introduced in eastern North America.

Habitat: Large-bract Plantain is found in dry, poor soils and is sometimes common in fields, empty lots, roadsides, and lawns.

Flowering period: May through October.

Similar Species: Large-bract Plantain has a superficial similarity to species of Polygala (Polygalaceae). However the spiny flower bracts and grasslike, basal leaves will easily identify this species.

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