Buckhorn plantain
June 5, 2015
Plantago lanceolata L. Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)
Life cycle
Rosette-forming simple perennial.
Leaves
All leaves originate from a basal rosette. Cotyledons are very narrow and grasslike. Leaves are narrow, linear and elongated with parallel veins and generally smooth leaf margins. Long hairs may be present at the leaf base
Buckthorn plantain rosette.
Stems
No visible aboveground stem. Semi-woody taproot present.
Flowers and fruit
Long, leafless stalks bear dense, cylinder-shaped flowering spikes and fruit. Single flowers are inconspicuous. Fruiting capsules yield two narrowly oval, brown to black, shiny seeds indented on one side.
Buckhorn plantain flowering spike (right).
Reproduction
Seeds and basal shoots.
Buckhorn plantain seedling.
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