Plantago media
Plantaginaceae
May to August
It is found throughout the country except for parts of
the far Southwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Hoary Plantain
Hoary Plantain grows on calcareous soils and grassland,
and grassland irrigated with alkaline waters. It is in decline,
probably because of fertiliser improvement of pastures.
It is a native, slightly scented, perennial herb growing
up to 40cm.
The stems are a downy, grey (hoary) and unfurrowed
compared with Ribwort plantain).
The flower spikes (4-6cm) appear pink due to the mass
pink filaments on the stamens.
Flowers are 4-merous with 4 sepals and 4 spreading,
lanceolate, perianth lobes.
There are 4 stamens with lilac filaments and white
anthers.
Stigmas are white, linear and feathery. They appear
before the stamens - protandrous.
The leaves are broadly oval, distinctly ribbed and in a
rough rosette. Both leaf surfaces are hairy, but the lower
surface more so.
The stem of the flower spike is hairy towards the base
and hoary towards the top.
Previous page: Himalayan Clematis
Next page: Hogweed
Hoary Plantain at the edge of a field
Flower spike.
Zone of flowers with stigmas above
zone of mainly stamens
Close-up of single flower. 4 perianth
lobes, 4 stamens and a stigma
Close-up of flowers with emerging
liner stigmas
Close-up of flowers- perianth lobes
and stigmas
Rosette of leaves and flower spikes
Top of hairy flower stem. 4 sepals and
emerging stigmas
Hairy leaf and hairy base of flower stem
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