Broadleaf Plantain

Plantago major

Weed Description
Perennial from a basal rosette with broad oval leaves. Found throughout the United States, primarily a weed of turfgrass.

Seedlings
Cotyledons are spatula-shaped and joined at the base. Young leaves oval to elliptic with leaves that encircle the stem.

Leaves
Smooth or slightly hairy, oval to elliptic, with a waxy surface and veins that are parallel to the margins. Margins are untoothed and sometimes wavy.

Flowers
Flowers produced on unbranched stalks (scapes) that arise from the rosette. Flowering stems are 5-15 inches long, clustered with small flowers that have whitish petals and bracts surrounding the flowers.

Fruit
A 2-celled oval capsule, 3-5 mm long, that opens by a lid around the middle.

Roots
Taproot with fibrous roots.

Identifying Characteristics
This weed may be confused with Blackseed Plantain (Plantago rugelli) that is also found in the eastern United States. Blackseed plantain has a red or purple coloration at the base of the petioles that is less often found in broadleaf plantain. Additionally, the capsules of blackseed plantain are cylindrical and split below the middle, while the capsules of broadleaf plantain are egg-shaped and open by splitting around the middle.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Broadleaf Plantain

Plantago major