Plantago major
Plantaginaceae
June to October
It is found throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Greater Plantain
Greater Plantain is found in bare soils, such as arable
fields, trodden tracks and paths, and in grassland.
It is a native, perennial, low-growing herb with flowering
spikes up to 40cm.
The green flower spikes are up to 20cm long.
Individual flowers can be bisexual or unisexual.
The ovaries mature before the stamens (protogynous).
Superficially it appears that the mainly male of female
flowers are in different zones on the spike, with a zone
with stigmas showing above a zone with stamens.
Flowers have 4 stamens with long while stamens and
purple anthers.
Stigmas are white, linear and slightly feathery.
There are 4 short (1mm), papert perianth lobes and
4 green sepals.
Fruits are capsules.
The leaves are large, broadly ovals and with wavy edges.
Plantago major Ssp. major has leaves with between
5 and 9 veins and is found everywhere.
P. major Ssp. intermedia has fewer leaf veins and is
mainly coastal
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Next page: Greater Sea-spurrey
Close-up of flower - 4 stamens, 4 sepals
and papery perianth segments
Close-up of stamens - purple anthers
and white filaments
Close-up of flower- anthers and stigma
Close-up of flowers- white linear stigmas
Rosette of leaves
Leaf with 7 veins
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