Plantago major
Greater plantain
How do you recognise greater plantain?
Oval leaves form a rosette flat against the ground, marked with clear curved lengthwise veins. From the centre of the rosette a stiff stem rises about 20 cm, carrying a narrow dense spike of small brownish flowers.
What is it confused with?
Ribwort plantain has narrow lance-shaped leaves and a short, dense spike. Broadleaf plantain has a wide oval leaf and a long spike.
Where does greater plantain grow, and when does it flower?
Grows on lawns, yard paths, and the edges of tracks, and withstands trampling better than most plants. It needs plenty of light. Flowering runs from July to September.
Can you collect it for a herbarium?
Broadleaf plantain grows in almost every yard and may be collected freely.
Did you know?
The seeds turn sticky when wet and cling to shoes and animals’ feet, so the plant has travelled the world with people. Indigenous peoples of North America called it the white man’s footprint.
Where does greater plantain grow in Finland?
The map shows where the species has been recorded. Darker squares mean more observations.
Loading the map
Observations: GBIF · Map: CARTO, OpenStreetMap
Sources: fi.wikipedia.org, mappa.fi
Identify plants with your phone
Linnea identifies a plant from a photo and tells you its name and its story. Every find takes its own numbered place in your herbarium, with the day and the town where you found it.
